Joplin football celebrated a pair of college signings on Wednesday, as Joe Jasper and Donovahn Watkins each inked their name to National Letters of Intent with family and friends in attendance.
With Jasper and Watkins adding their name to the college ranks, that gives Joplin football seven total student-athletes playing at the next level.
“This makes six for football and Donovyn Fowler (Oklahoma University) for track,” Joplin football coach Curtis Jasper said. “It’s not something we necessarily focus on, but we do focus on preparing them for the next level—whatever that may be. It could be workforce, military or anything else they want to do when they get out of high school. To be able to see our guys continue to do what they want to do and have that opportunity, it really means a lot.”
Watkins is heading to Coffeyville CC in Kansas as a two-sport athlete. He will be competing in track and field as well as football. And while he is excited for the next level, Watkins is focused on more than just athletics as he enters the next phase of his life.
“This is exciting because all of the preparation you’ve worked on since your freshman, sophomore or junior year, you are really looking forward to this day,” Watkins said. “ Having this opportunity is pretty cool. … I don’t want to just improve as an athlete, but also as a man. I want to elevate myself as a person. I think if I can do that, being a better player will follow.”
Joe Jasper, Curtis’ son, signed his letter of intent to continue his football career at Missouri S&T in Rolla, where he will be positioned as an outside linebacker as well as possible time at long snapper and is majoring in business administration.
“It means a lot to me,” Joe Jasper said. “Ever since I could hold and throw a football I always dreamed of playing at the college level. To finally be able to see all the hard work pay off is an amazing feeling. … They are really strong academically and have a really strong business program. That was a big thing for me. Also, the coaching staff and all the players made it feel like a big family and I wanted to be a part of that family.”
“It means a lot,” Coach Jasper said. “To be able to go to a great school like Missouri S&T to be able to continue to compete in sports and get a good education, he continues to exceed all expectations that (my wife and I) have put on him.”
For Joe and Curtis Jasper, of course, this day also signifies a change in their relationship. Curtis can now focus on just being a dad and a fan, though Joe will always cherish having his father as his coach throughout his childhood and during high school.
“It was very special to me because your coaches are always important to you and your father is very important,” Joe Jasper said. “To have him fulfilling both of those roles was very rewarding to always have him there helping me out as the father figure or coaching figure I needed.”
“Without a doubt, it will feel different just watching and being a dad and being a fan and not having to worry about the coaching aspect,” Coach Jasper said.
Treys from Jackson and Max Higginbotham kept the Cardinals within striking distance, but the Vikings answered with 3-pointers from Kevin Parker and Elijah Whitley.
Bolivar extended its lead to 47-17 after two treys from Cribbs, a 3-pointer from Kaden Griswold and a hoop inside by Lukas Gabani. 