Team-first mindset hits home
Moyston’s new approach helps Bulldogs reach new heights
SUFFOLK — King’s Fork football coach Anthony Joffrion grew up with two brothers, and disagreements were normal. The three would sit down and hash things out, and it only made sense for Joffrion to carry over that solution to football.
During one of the many meetings between coaches and players, Kyree Moyston’s teammates expressed their frustration with him taking so many penalties.
“Kyree never looked at it that it was affecting other people,” Joffrion said. “He’s done a really good job understanding it’s not always about him. It’s about this team.”
Since then, Moyston has cut down on mental lapses and become the biggest champion for his teammates, and has encouraged them to come on recruiting visits with him.
“For real, what helped me change is everyone would tell me I have to do better,” said Moyston, now a Virginia Tech commit. “I see it was affecting my teammates, and the coaches would tell me these kids look up to you.”
At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Moyston is a dominant defensive end who leads the Bulldogs with 16 sacks and ranks second in tackles (50). He and the rest of the defensive line have been a driving force to the team’s first region championship last week, and there’s more to play for.
King’s Fork (11-1) will visit Varina at 2 p.m. today in a state semifinal.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling,” Joffrion said, “because Friday night I was so excited for our community and players, really excited for the school, and all the hard work coaches before me put in to set the foundation . ... It took a team effort, then on Monday, it’s like you gotta shift gears.”
With Moyston and Tavias Higgs (10 sacks), the D-line terrorizes opponents in the backfield.
“What makes them stand out is their ability to get to the football,” Joffrion said. “Giving max effort every single play — I think that’s what separates them.”
Joffrion, who was hired in early 2020, has known many of the Bulldogs since middle school, including a young Moyston who was lukewarm about playing football.
“When I first met Kyree, he liked football, but I don’t think he really loved it,” Joffrion said. “But as soon as ninth grade came, he’s a guy who took his academics serious and
weight room serious. By sophomore year, he’s getting 10 sacks a season. That’s kudos to his hard work, and God blessed him with talent and he’ll use that to the best of his ability.” That work and unprecedented talent has propelled King’s Fork to its first state tournament. The Bulldogs won Region A games 42-0, 34-7 and 41-14.
“I’d say the playoff games is when it really started clicking for us because you win or you’re going home,” Moyston said, “so every single game since then, we’ve been getting better when it comes to game time.”
Moyston has upgraded his game during the postseason, too.
“He has a knack for using his hands very well and getting to the ball,” Joffrion said. “He’s a defensive end, but he starts on our special teams. He just wants to hit people. He’s forced two fumbles running down on kickoffs.”
Withjustapossibletwogamesleft in his high school career, Moyston appreciates the region title, but isn’t satisfied.
“It felt good during the moment, but I’m pretty sure everybody on the team knew it’s more that we still gotta get done,” he said. “That was region. That’s good. We love making history, but the real goal is to have a ring, so it’s kind of short-lived.”