During his first year at Kinkaid, sophomore Wayne Shanks had an unforgettable season for the Falcon football team, leading the team as the starting running back.
Shanks transferred to Kinkaid as a sophomore, joining the school to specifically play football.
“Great players show up in the most critical moments, which was certainly true with Wayne this year,” said senior captain Topher Carlson.
From being a new addition to the roster to having a monumental 27 touchdowns and a total of 1,803 all-purpose yards, Shanks’ undeniable presence on the field was noticed by many.
“It’s a huge blessing for sure, and I’m very grateful for being able to play at Kinkaid this year,” Shanks said.
Through a public voting system, Shanks was recently awarded the VYPE Offensive Player of the Year award for all private schools in Houston.
With a goal of playing in the NFL, each accomplishment helps his chances. The VYPE award is one of his greatest successes this season.
“Working really hard and staying strict and disciplined with my diet and training is tough, but it all pays off on the field,” Shanks stated.
While there were many great moments this season, Shanks highlighted that his most memorable and successful game was the SPC championship played against the Episcopal Knights at Houston’s TDECU Stadium.
By the end of the night the Falcons secured a dominant 49-10 victory and Shanks had accounted for five touchdowns: four rushing and one receiving.
“We had our first 7 v. 7 tournament last May, and when I saw the type of player he was, I knew we were going to win SPC from the start,” junior Peter Liuzzi stated.
With a great support system, Wayne said he appreciates the friendships he has with the members of the varsity football team on and off the field.
“It was really cool to win SPC with all of my teammates, and playing with people who I can collaborate with has helped me have a successful first season with Kinkaid and win the VYPE award,” Shanks said.
![Freshman quarterback Jordan Young scans for a wide receiver to make a play Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, during the third quarter in their game against Episcopal High School. Playing through rain, the Falcons’ game ended in a 14-6 loss in the final minutes of the fourth quarter of their second-ever game. Young states the loss “hurt, but now the team [and him] have to buckle down at practice so [they] can get the results [they] want in game.”](https://thefalcon.kinkaid.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-23-at-9.57.55 AM-1200x899.png)
