Elkins Receiver Kwabena Dako’s patience pays off

After waiting three years for his varsity football opportunity, Elkins High School senior Kwabena Dako is making the most of his opportunity.

The 5-foot-9, 150-pound wide receiver is turning his patience and dedication into a chance to pursue his dream of playing college football.

Before football became his passion, Dako played soccer, competing as a striker and developing the footwork and conditioning that would later benefit him on the football field.

“My favorite part was definitely scoring goals and making plays,” said Dako. “I loved how active the game was and the chance to constantly move around and compete.”

Dako’s interest in football grew after watching his older brother, Kwame Dako.

“My older brother played football, and watching him made me want to give the sport a try,” said Dako. “Seeing how much fun he had and the passion he played with inspired me, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps and experience it for myself.”

Dako began playing football in eighth grade, but earning a varsity spot at Elkins required patience.

By his junior year, the program already had established talent at wide receiver, including senior Saxon Gumabong, who averaged 61 yards per game. Dako remained on the junior varsity team, waiting for his opportunity.

Though disappointed that he didn’t make varsity as a junior, Dako never considered quitting. Instead, he continued working to improve his skills and prepare for his opportunity.

“My family and my faith in God helped me stay focused and trust that my opportunity would come,” said Dako. “My faith helped me trust that everything was happening according to God’s plan. A verse my mom has always reminded me of was Jeremiah 29:11, and that helped me stay patient and keep working even when things weren’t going the way I wanted. It reminded me to trust the process and keep moving forward.”

Dako focused on improving his catch radius, footwork, speed, football IQ, and strength.

Elkins’ wide receivers coach Michael Holmes said the coaching staff recognized Dako’s dedication and believed he would be ready when his opportunity came.

“Dako has always been one of our most dedicated and hardest-working players,” said Holmes. “The only reason he wasn’t on varsity sooner was because of the talented players who came through the program before him. But as coaches, we knew that once he got his opportunity, he would be ready.”

When Dako finally earned the opportunity to play varsity football as a senior, he embraced the chance to contribute on Friday nights.

“Finally getting the opportunity to play varsity football senior year felt good because I could finally show all the hard work I had put in,” said Dako. “Being a starter meant more to me than just being on varsity because it gave me a chance to contribute and prove myself on Friday nights.”

His role has extended beyond making plays on the field. Holmes said Dako has also emerged as a leader within the team.

“Dako has become a leader within his position group and within the team,” said Holmes. “He is always encouraging his teammates and motivating everyone through difficult moments during the season. Even when he faced difficult moments on the field, and you could see it weighing on him, he kept working hard and encouraged others to do the same.”

While developing at Elkins, Dako also attended training and recruiting camps to connect with college coaches.

“With my trainer, Champ Glory, I worked on a little bit of everything, including footwork, route running, conditioning, lifting, and overall athletic development,” said Dako. “We trained almost every day, and I think the biggest improvement I made was in my overall athleticism. All the work helped me become a more complete player.”

Dako attended the Houston Christian University mega camp, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana camp, and the Fort Bend Athletics recruiting combine.

I had a great time at @HCUFootball camp! I’m grateful for the opportunity to get better, showcase my abilities and build connections with the coaches @ElkinsFootball @recruitelkinsfb @Coach_CT3 @CoachMHolmes24 @CoachTGr @CoachGayhart https://t.co/g0OpmPHoD6

— Kwabena Dako (@kwabena_dako) June 4, 2026

“My goals at those camps and combines were to gain exposure, compete against other talented athletes, and show college coaches what I could do,” said Dako. “I also hoped to gain an opportunity to play at the next level.”

His training and varsity experience have helped him attract interest from several college programs.

“Receiving interest from colleges has been a blessing,” said Dako. “It shows that my hard work is paying off, and it’s motivating to know coaches believe in what I can bring to their program. I hope to find a program with a strong coaching staff, a chance to compete for a spot and earn playing time early, and a winning environment where everyone is committed to improving and competing for championships.”

Although Dako remains uncommitted, his recruiting interest reflects the work he has put into developing his game. He also hopes to pursue a career in computer engineering.

“I’ve been interested in technology since I was a kid,” said Dako. “I used to build Lego robots and code basic games, which sparked my interest in computer engineering. I enjoy learning how technology works and creating things through programming and engineering.”

Dako maintains a 4.1 GPA while balancing football with his academic responsibilities.

“Balancing football and a 4.1 GPA wasn’t easy at first, but over time I learned to manage it,” said Dako. “My parents always emphasized academics when I was growing up, and that mindset has stayed with me. I think football and school both require discipline, consistency, and a strong work ethic, so they complement each other.”

Dako hopes his dedication will eventually lead to an opportunity to continue playing football at the collegiate level.

“Earning the chance to play college football would be a dream come true,” said Dako. “I’ve put in a lot of time and hard work over the years, so continuing to play at the next level would mean a lot to me and my family.”