BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Keystone Heights High School senior Bryar Schenck’s hard work paid off, as Jacksonville’s River City Prep is giving him the chance to keep playing football after high school.
Schenck, who participated in a signing ceremony in the KHHS media center on Feb. 1, said, “Making such a big commitment, you have to put your all into it. You have to really dive into it and be dedicated in order to accomplish something like this. You’ve got to really have a love for it.”
“He wants to play,” former KHHS Head Coach Chuck Dickinson said. “That’s a big part of it, wanting to be a part of something. I think he’ll do well.”
What Schenck, who was the Indians’ second-leading rusher last year (628 yards and seven touchdowns on 125 carries), is becoming a part of is a post-graduate football program preparing to begin its inaugural season. The goal is to help student-athletes, who’ll take classes at St. Johns River State College, receive opportunities at four-year colleges. River City Prep has its own in-house promotion system, with a connection to more than 700 colleges.
Schenck, who also caught 11 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, said he heard about River City from KHHS Assistant Coach Jakob Alvarez, who told him the program was looking for players in the area just like him. Schenck is one of 11 players from Clay County schools on River City’s current roster.
“When I got the official offer, I dove into this place,” Schenck said. “I looked up all kinds of stuff about it.”
Still, it was almost hard for him to believe that the thing he worked so hard for and prayed for came true. In the aftermath of his signing ceremony, Schenck said, “It’s surreal. It’s a lot to take in.”
What the Admirals are getting is a player Dickinson described as a hard worker who’s also unselfish.
“His junior year, he played tight end for us and did a heck of a job there,” Dickinson said. “We moved him to running back because we lost all our running backs from the year before. I told him, ‘You need to know more than one position.’ He was willing to do anything to help the team win.”
It didn’t matter if things were going good or bad, Schenck said his mindset was to always give his all. He said, “I had to show my team and all my coaches, ‘Hey. I’m still here. I’m not going to quit.”
Last season was the first time Schenck played running back at the varsity level, though he had some experience at the position at the junior varsity level. However, where River City plays him remains to be seen. At the moment, he’s listed on their roster as an athlete.
“Wherever they put me is where I’m willing to play,” Schenck said. “I think they like me at running back or linebacker. As long as I’m on the field playing, I’m not going to be upset.”
Dickinson said, “There’s a lot of upside. He’s got a lot to learn at the next level, but every year you play, you learn something new.”
Schenck said he believes River City coaches will help him make improvements in speed, agility and recognition, which will complement what he already brings to the field, which he described as “grit.”
“I remember a lot playing running back, I would never let one person bring me down,” Schenck said. “I’d be like, ‘You’re going to need the whole team to be able to take me down.’ If I’m on defense, I’m going to be the person who hits you the hardest.”
Schenck said all he’s ever wanted was to play football at the next level. That’s what he’s been working toward, so when he steps onto the field again, he’s going to feel like he’s right where he should be.
“It’s going to feel like home again,” he said. “I think it’s going to feel like I’m back where I belong.”
