REFUGIO, Texas — The fall 2024 football season features a strong senior quarterback group in the Coastal Bend. That's why we're highlighting six seniors in our first-ever KRIS Super 6 Showcase, a combine-like environment that will air Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. on KRIS 6.
Refugio quarterback Kelan 'The Gunslinger' Brown has led the Bobcats for two years, including a 2022 UIL 2A State Championship appearance. Now he's got one last shot at trying to win it all and bring home the title (2019, 2016, 2011, 1982 and 1970).
“It comes out of my hand so fast it’s really like a whip," Brown said. "That’s how I kind of got ‘The Gunslinger’.
Brown started playing football at 4-years-old.
“It was nothing serious at first, but I would just go out there and play," Brown said. "I was actually the kicker. My dad found out I had an arm, so we just started working on that.”
He narrowed down his passion to passing when he was 9-years-old. Brown attended camps and later earned the Refugio starting role.
“One of the strongest arms I’ve seen. His footwork is impeccable," James King, Refugio running backs coach, said. "He really, really works on his footwork all of the time. His command for the huddle this year in the summer workouts has been very improved.”
The 5-foot-11 quarterback finished his junior season with 2,019 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He’s calm under pressure and it’s that personality that gives him an edge.
“The thing that I have loved with Kelan is he’s a leader. He’s what you want your quarterback to be," Adam Spiegleman, Refugio Offensive Coordinator and quarterbacks coach, said. "If a receiver messes up he doesn’t get in their face and scream at them. Picks them up and he’ll kind of coach them up. You know what I mean.”
Brown has also taken his athleticism to the court and the track. During his junior season in basketball he had four buzzer beaters, one game winner and a few 40-plus point games. His biggest fan is his mother.
“I believe it’s the support system because they look in the stands to see who’s there. Who’s not there," Regina Brown, Kelan's mother, said. "To look up and see mom at every game it just gives him an extra oomph that they need to get through.”
“I can’t remember a game that she missed. I can’t," Brown said. "You know what I’m saying, but I can’t thank her enough.”
That support has led to other passions like drumming. He began playing at 3-years-old and even performed with the Bobcats Varsity band at age 9.
“One really unique thing is I’m really good with music," Brown said. "I learned to play the piano out of nowhere. The trumpet I’ll hit that here or there, but drumming is like the heart and soul. I don’t think I’ll ever lose that.”
Brown has experienced his fair share of victories over the past two years, 26 wins and only 4 losses. He’s looking to continue the tradition.
“I’ve been through the heartbreak of us losing to Shiner my freshman year. Losing at state my sophomore. Losing to Ganado last year," Brown said. "Like I’ve been through it. Now I have nothing to lose you know what I’m saying, so the least I can do is give everything I got 110 percent every play and just try to get that ring.”
Brown is one of six Coastal Bend senior quarterbacks that have been selected for the KRIS Super 6 Showcase. A combine where the quarterbacks will showcase their skills for the community and hopefully recruiters. The showcase airs Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m. on KRIS 6.
KRIS Super 6 Showcase Senior Quarterbacks:
Triston Handson, Sinton
Kelan 'The Gunslinger' Brown, Refugio
Jayden 'J.J.' Paluseo, Flour Bluff
Trevor Long, Miller
Logan Rodriguez, Orange Grove
Reed Dooms, Gregory-Portland
The Bobcats start their season Friday, Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m. with a road trip to Cotulla.
You can also catch the showcase re-airing on Aug. 24 at 6 p.m on KZTV and 9:30 p.m. on KDF. The KRIS Super 6 Showcase is sponsored by Neessen Chevrolet.
