CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Last season, Kenwood football got off to a 2-3 start to the season before dropping their last six contests in rather tumultuous fashion.

Knights quarterback Jaylen Washington shared what he learned in year two under center that he will carry with him throughout the rest of his career.

“It’s not about how you start, it’s about how you finish,” Washington said. “I think we got a little cocky from starting off good and as soon as we had some adversity hit us, we couldn’t fight it.”

There are many responsibilities that come with being an upperclassmen in a team sport. Washington has taken it upon himself to make sure that his teammates are continuing to put in the necessary work during these unforeseen times.

“Every Sunday it’s me and the wide receivers,” Washington said. “We try to get out and go over routes and everything. I’ve been doing a lot of agility work because I have to get faster. I’ve also really been trying to improve my arm strength. I can throw pretty far, but can always get better.”

Washington, a multi-sport athlete, helped lead Kenwood boy’s basketball to a 12-4 finish in District 10-AAA play last season.

He averaged 13 points, two rebounds and three assists per game.

“Basketball keeps me in shape,” Washington said. “On the court, you have to be able to read mainly the same thing the quarterback has to read on the field like what the defense is doing, how to manipulate it and when to act.”

Washington plans on holding himself and others accountable in 2020 when it comes to displaying leadership on and off the field.

“I like to lead by example,” Washington said. “That’s what I’ve really been trying to get through to the rest of the team especially all of the upperclassmen. If we lead with our actions, the underclassmen can just watch us and learn how to do things right.”

Washington believes he possesses a certain characteristic that sets himself apart from others at the quarterback position.

“Probably my ability to stay calm under pressure,” Washington answered. “A lot of times quarterbacks can get rattled when they have a little heat thrown at them. I feel like that doesn’t really bother me. I know that if I get rattled then the rest of the team will because they’re all looking at the quarterback. I really think that’s what I do the best.”

In most instances an athlete acquires such a trait through his or her own personal experiences gained while playing their individual sport. For Washington, the attribute was first instilled in him by his father at a young age.

“That comes from my dad,” Washington said. “A lot of times when I was growing up, I would get frustrated easily when something would go bad. He always told me you can’t think or do anything when you’re mad…You can always relate staying calm under pressure to anything else in life.”

Washington and the rest of the Knights will look to bounce back this upcoming season in Region 7-5A play.