Robert Kellen burst onto the Loudoun County high school football scene as a freshman in Independence High, rushing for nearly 1,000 yards before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the regular season finale.
Kellen, whose two older brothers also shined on the football team at Independence, returned midway through last season, but Coach RJ Windows could sense some apprehension as Kellen tried to dodge the defenders. Kellen rushed for 527 yards in six games, but Windows knew it was going to take some time for Kellen to return to form.
After a full “offseason” that included going 35-15 on the wrestling mat as well as winning a rugby state championship and going on an international tour, Kellen was more than ready for this football season. This past Friday, he rushed 19 times for 345 yards and four touchdowns and on defense made four tackles and also had a 51-yard punt as the Tigers beat Potomac Falls, 40-21.
For his efforts, Kellen was named the Military Bowl Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.
Perhaps the most notable measure of Kellen’s recovery, Windows said, is that in addition to stiff-arming defenders or running through their tackles, the junior now has the speed to just outrace would-be tacklers.
“He didn’t used to have the pull-away speed,” Windows said, noting that Kellen had touchdown runs of 80, 65 and 60 yards against Potomac Falls. “He used to bust through guys and plow them over. Now he has the pull-away speed on top of it.
“When we scrimmaged Westfield [last month] he was running well. Last year, coming back, I felt he was a little timid. Now, I said, ‘Freshman Robert is back.’ “
In addition to excelling on the football field, Kellen is a standout wrestler and rugby player. He placed fourth in the Virginia 6A Region B wrestling tournament last year. This past summer, his rugby team competed in Spain, France and Ireland.
This week’s DC Touchdown Club Honor Roll:
ANNE ARUNDEL
Broadneck DE Grayson Whitney, who missed last season while recovering from brain surgery after falling off a golf cart, blocked a potential game-winning field goal in the closing seconds as the Bruins beat St. Mary’s-Annapolis, 29-28.
DC
Theodore Roosevelt QB David Anderson completed 12 of 15 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for a touchdown and two two-point conversions as the Rough Riders beat KIPP DC Legacy, 40-15.
FREDERICK
Linganore QB David Doy completed 13 of 22 passes for 105 yards and three touchdowns and rushed seven times for 47 yards as the Lancers edged Mervo, 29-28, in a meeting of teams that won state titles last season.
HOWARD
Howard RB/DB Jayson Allen rushed nine times for 131 yards and two touchdowns, caught a 10-yard touchdown pass and on defense made six tackles with two tackles for loss and intercepted a pass as the Lions beat Mount Hebron, 43-0.
LOUDOUN
Broad Run SS Cooper Fox made eight tackles with two tackles for loss and intercepted three passes as the Spartans beat Riverside, 26-15.
MONTGOMERY
Northwest QB Eric Odina completed 6 of 10 passes for 102 yards and rushed 14 times for 161 yards and four touchdowns as the Jaguars beat Blake, 29-14.
NORTHERN REGION
West Springfield TE/LB Brennan Telfer caught a 55-yard touchdown pass and on defense made 22 tackles (17 solo) with three tackles for loss and one sack as the Spartans beat Chantilly, 41-7.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
Oxon Hill LB Matthew Gbllah made 10 tackles with three tackles for loss as the Clippers beat Largo, 21-20.
PRINCE WILLIAM
Osbourn QB Jonah Howells completed 7 of 9 passes for 82 yards and rushed 15 times for 112 yards and four touchdowns as the Eagles beat Hartwood, 32-26 in overtime.
PRIVATE
Bullis LB Kevin Ouedraogo made nine tackles with four tackles for loss as the Bulldogs beat Gilman, 29-23.
SMAC
Patuxent RB Antoine Wilkins rushed 27 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 51 yards as the Panthers beat Westlake, 12-6.
STAFFORD
Stafford DE KJ Hitt made five tackles with 3 ½ tackles for loss and broke up a pass as the Indians held Unity Reed to minus-21 yards rushing in a 70-0 win.
WCAC
DeMatha DB Logan Brown made five tackles and intercepted two passes, including one on the game’s final play in the end zone, as the Stags set a school record with their 23rd consecutive win, beating Imhotep Charter, 21-20.
ABOUT THE MILITARY BOWL FOUNDATION
The Military Bowl Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates premier events in the National Capital Region to benefit our nation’s service members. Originally formed to create the region’s first-ever college football postseason bowl game, the Foundation now not only runs the Freedom Mortgage Military Bowl but additionally operates the DC Touchdown Club and Patriot Point, a retreat for recovering service members, their families and caregivers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Foundation hosts engaging events throughout the year to raise money and awareness for military service members, directly impacting those who give so much of themselves for the country.
ABOUT THE DC TOUCHDOWN CLUB
The DC Touchdown Club honors the best in Washington Metro football, with year-round events highlighted by an annual awards dinner. Operated by the Military Bowl Foundation, the Touchdown Club promotes the game of football, hosts entertaining social events and generates a significant philanthropic impact for Patriot Point. To learn more about the Touchdown Club, visit dctouchdownclub.com, or follow the Touchdown Club on Twitter and Instagram @DCTouchdown Club and like the Touchdown Club on Facebook.