BY BRIAN GOSSET
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
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As long as I have covered high school sports in Texas, which dates back to 2014, I know one thing…football is the king of the jungle in this state.
While we often look at a school based on their football team, we can’t forget one thing under the Friday night lights – the band.
Yes, the band goes out there just like the football team, and like football they go out there to perform in front of hundreds of people, fans, family and the community.
Once in a while, I will see a band member out on the field during halftime with shoulder pads and a jersey. Yes, even football players can be a part of the band.
Of course, only football players would stick out.
There are thousands of other athletes that perform during halftime and all throughout the game…such as Fort Worth Paschal sophomore Kendall “KK” Keith.
Keith plays the trombone for the Paschal band and has been playing for the past five years. KK has played volleyball for eight years.
“I love volleyball because you make such close friends while competing. I get to have fun,” she said. “I started in the band in the sixth grade and I have always loved music. When my mom told me about her time in the marching band, it made me want to do it as well.”
Additionally, Keith throws the discus in the spring for the Paschal track and field team…volleyball, discus and the trombone – a combination you don’t normally see.
In two seasons for the Paschal varsity volleyball team, Keith has helped the Panthers to back-to-back district championships. Paschal is coming off a 24-17 record, 12-0 in 7-5A and a bi-district title over Cleburne on Oct. 30.
KK was District Newcomer Of The Year as a freshman and followed it up with first-team all-district honors this season. As a sophomore, Keith set a career high with 218 kills.
As she continues to be a volleyball star, Keith is just as passionate about performing in the band.
She also plays the euphonium.
“People told me it couldn’t be done, but my band director and volleyball coach have been very understanding,” she said. “Performing in the marching show is one of the best feelings. You put in so many hours of work it all seems worth it when you hit the field Friday night. I love performing whether it’s music or volleyball.”
