Kluse taking steps to become a leader
By Matthew Welsh
MDJ Sports Writer
Brady K luse vividly remembers
his first varsity football game in
Harrison green.
As a sophomore, he started for
the first time as a wide receiver
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alongside two seniors in the
season opener against rival Allatoona.
Starting as an underclassman
was grounds enough to make
the night memorable, but the image
of catching the game-winning
touchdown in overtime still lasts
in his mind.
Now a j unior, K luse said he
has taken a step after solidifying
his starting position out
wide. He said he now possesses
a larger leadership role on
Harrison’s team, with aims of
restoring the winning standard
often associated with Harrison
football.
“It’s more about j ust my love
for the game and just trying to
be a great teammate,” K luse said.
“That’s the role that I need to have
to continue to help us win. I’m
here to help everyone stay positive
and make sure everyone’s
head is on right so that we can
go out there and win.”
After a sophomore campaign
where he finished 12th in the county
with 6 16 receiving yards, while
scoring seven touchdowns, that
leadership has sprung from his
on-field exploits into the offseason,
where he helped lead summer
workouts.
After transplanting from Mississippi
to K ennesaw as a 9 -yearold,
K luse said his mom made
good on her promise to finally
allow him to play football, one
of his lifelong dreams.
While in Harrison’s middle
school program, K luse said he
still remembers getting to watch
former Harrison quarterback Justin
Fields take the field for games
on Friday nights. Entering as a
freshman, he said it was always
his goal to run through the tunnel
and smoke of Cobleigh Stadium
as a varsity player.
Harrison coach Josh Cassidy
said K luse’s work ethic since his
freshman year is what elevates
him on the field.
Cassidy said during the Spring
last season, a college recruiter
leaving the high school after a
visit noticed K luse practicing
drills on the field by himself,
prompting him to approach the
young receiver.
It’s those moments, Cassidy
said, that have molded K luse into
the player he is today.
O nce a freshman receiving
late-season, sideline call-ups,
the 6 -foot-3, 185-pounder has cemented
himself alongside senior
Reggie Brigman in a formidable
receiving tandem. Cassidy added
with K luse’s ascension, one-onone
opportunities in other areas
of the field should open up for
other receivers.
K luse said his current stature
is a product of countless, unseen
hours spent in the weightroom
and on the field. He said
explosion, change of direction
and route running were central
areas of emphasis during
the offseason. Cassidy has certainly
taken note of the junior’s
progression.
“He’s like an ice skater on the
field. It’s just as smooth as possible
and he doesn’t strain for balls,”
Cassidy said. “He just throws his
hands out there and you know, he
catches ( passes) . It’s just very effortless
for him.”
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Another area K luse said he values
is versatility. During his sophomore
season, after finally tasting
starting snaps, Harrison’s
long-snapper was injured. Forcing
K luse to step into the spot he
found himself in an unprecedented
position: long-snapping in a
playoff game.
That kind of team-oriented
example is what K luse wants
to continue to convey to the
younger members of this year’s
squad.
“Last year as a sophomore, that’s
what the seniors we had did for
me. G uys like Nick Charles and
Nathan V ail made me feel like I
had a role on the team,” K luse
said. “It helped really boost my
confidence and allowed me to play
like I knew I could.”
Now a known commodity, assured
his focus remains helping
Harrison win, while simultaneously
refining his brand
of electric, aggressive football.
With looming region match-ups
against neighboring powers Marietta,
K ennesaw Mountain and
Hillgrove, K luse and his abilities
should be on full display under
the lights.