Kemp enters the 2022 season with a Tavarus “ B . J .” Rider , who followed his heart back to the scene of his high school days .

“ I ’ m happy to be home ,” he said . “ I graduated from Kemp in 2000 and want to give back to the community .”

Rider thinks the fans will like the determination of this year ’ s Yellowjackets .

“ We ’ re going to try to be competitive as possible and leave everything out on the field .”

Rider played in college at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Education in 2005 .

The following year , he began , what is now a 16 year career in the coaching profession .

After starting his career in Crandall Middle School in 2006 , he joined Dallas ISD in 2007 at Hector P . Garcia Middle School as the head football coach . In 2012 , he moved to Adamson High School as an assistant football and track coach . In 2016 , Rider became the athletic coordinator and head football coach of the Class 5A Leopards .

“ When there is a change at head coach , it ’ s crucial that the players ‘ buy in ’ to the methods of the man at the top .” Rider said the players have had a positive attitude about his arrival and have kept up the pace in their off-season conditioning .

“ They ’ re working really hard and

I want to see it translate to the field ,” he said . “ If you want to change the outcome , you ’ ve got to change the mindset .”

Although there is a new head coach , there are enough familiar faces on the staff to maintain continuity .

“ The high school staff pretty much stayed in tact ,” Rider said . “ They ’ re a bunch of good guys . They ’ ve been helping me out a lot .”

District 8-3A Division 1 will bring the Yellowjackets a new challenge each week . Malakoff figures to continue its run of playoff quality teams while Groesback , Mexia and Fairfield are primed to challenge . Eustace is a rival that is hoping to step forward under a new regime .

“ It ’ s a tough district , but Adamson was in a tough district . The Class 5A ,

When there is a change at head coach , it ’ s crucial that the players ‘ buy in ’ to the methods of the man at the top . — Tavarus ‘ B . J .’ Rider

TAVARUS ‘ B . J .’ RIDER HEAD COACH

Division II champion South Oak Cliff came from their district ,” Rider said .

The schedule is what it is , but Rider says the most important thing his team can focus on is being the best version of themselves they can be each week .

“ Just watch how prepared we are , how determined we are and how hard we work ,” he said . “ Our core beliefs are ATM , accountability , teamwork and mental toughness .”

The Yellowjackets returned nine offensive and eight defensive starters from last year .

Pre-season upper-classmen who figure to get attention are QB / DB Deacon Thompson , WR / DB Brayden Thompson , WR / DB Brayden Gibbons / WR / DB Clayton Brown , DL Jared Minzenmayer and RB / DL Aaron Quezada .

Dave Campbell ’ s Texas Football said Kemp will “ lean on the speed and knowledge of its skill position players to make up for lack of size on the line on both offense and defense .”

Kemp will be doing battle in an upgraded Yellowjacket Stadium this year . Improvements to the sports complex include new turf and a new competition track .

KEMP YELLOWJACKETS