Frank Hill Stadium has seen its fair share of stars take the hollowed turf. Last season, Jaylen Foster etched his named in the Vikings record books. Jaylen Foster led Emerald with 17 touchdowns and 1201 yards on the ground in his senior campaign in 2022. For Jaylen, his football journey did not end with the purple & gold. This offseason, he announced his commitment to play division I football at Georgia State University. Who would fill the hole at running back for Emerald? Well, Jaylen’s younger brother, Christian, has received the torch from his older sibling.
Christian Foster shined as a freshman last season at the junior varsity level. It was no secret he would eventually become the workhorse back for the Vikings, but early in his sophomore year, he has exceeded expectations.
“Coaching them in the game of football is easy,” Emerald head coach, Tad DuBose stated. “Both of them are very talented young men, but what makes them special in my heart is the character they display both on and off the field.”
The Foster brothers have never shied away from hard work and it reflects on the football field. They have both spent countless hours in the Emerald High Gym and at Next Level Fitness perfecting their craft. With Jaylen being in Atlanta for his college ball, Christian has not wavered in his work ethic.
“The future holds an awful lot for Christian,” said DuBose. “He’s just a baby right now, he’s growing, and he works his butt off in the weight room.”
Jaylen and Christian share a lot of great attributes running the ball. It’s not just their competitive edge, they are both super physical with an uncanny ability to shed tackles, as well as possessing lightning speed. Jaylen has been in the same position as his younger brother, an underclassmen fighting everyday to be the best version of himself, and his words of wisdom have helped Christian tremendously in his first varsity season.
I usually talk to [Jaylen] every night,” said Christian Foster. “He tells me how to just do what you’ve got to do, stay yourself, and keep grinding.”
It’s obvious that carrying on the family legacy is something of importance to Christian Foster, he even chose to wear the No. 3 jersey this season, the same number Jaylen touted during his stardom with the Vikings. The Foster lineage will continue to grow under coach DuBose as Christian strives both on and off the field, just like his older brother.
“We used to say that Christian is Jaylen’s little brother, now we say Jaylen is Christian’s older brother.” coach DuBose remarked.
Christian Foster did not play in last week’s contest in Saluda, but says he plans to be fully healthy for Friday night as the Vikings host a AAA powerhouse in the Belton-Honea Path Bears.