After his junior season, Rashaad Henderson came to a realization: It was time to take football seriously. Especially because he had only one season left at Flowing Wells.
So, Henderson kicked it into another gear over the offseason and is having a breakout senior year. He’s not alone: Upstart Flowing Wells will host Mountain View on Friday night in a winner-take-all game for the Class 5A Sonoran Region title.
The Caballeros are 8-1, one season after finishing 3-7 and missing the state playoffs. Henderson said he figured this year’s team would be better, but had no idea the Caballeros would have such a successful turnaround.
“I knew we wanted to make a statement, but I didn’t know what kind of statement,” Henderson said.
“I think it just kind of spoke for itself as the season went on.”
Henderson is Class 5A’s No. 3 rusher (1,286 yards) and ranks third in touchdowns (23). The 1,286 yards have come on 160 carries. Henderson is averaging 142.9 yards per game.
“It feels good, but I give all thanks to my linemen, though,” Henderson said.
“They put in the work in the weight room, which shows on the field. That’s why I look good.”
It wasn’t that long ago that Henderson profiled more as an offensive lineman than a runner. He started playing football at age 8, and moved to the trenches because he was a self-proclaimed “chubby kid.”
He slimmed down and got faster once he started playing at the high school level.
“I just grew up,” he said.
Henderson said he hopes to make a deep run in the state playoffs. He’d like to be able to turn his success into a college offer, and winning on Friday night would be a start.
Mountain View will be desperate to stop Henderson and the Caballeros. The Mountain Lions have won four straight region games since starting 0-5.
With a win Friday, Mountain View would secure a playoff berth. Lose, and the Mountain Lions are likely to miss out.
Flowing Wells coach Mark Brunenkant knows what his team is up against.
“It’s a big game for Flowing Wells. It’s a big game for our program and the Flowing Wells community,” Brunenkant said.
“We’ve just go to make sure we keep our emotions in check and just execute to the best of our ability. I think, if we do that, it’ll be a success and it’ll be a great football team.”
