A’maree and Aaron ”Deuce” Bohannon have a profound commitment to football and each other.
It’s a winning combination that’s made the two high school football standouts among the top players in the city and, as juniors, already highly recruited by some of Division One’s finest.
Those who follow local high school sports may be surprised to find the brothers at East High this year. They were part of the Northwest Grizzlies winning machine as freshmen and sophomores, but this year they’ve joined up with the East High Aces under the leadership of Coach Ene Akpan.
Last year, the Aces knocked the Grizzlies out of the state tournament in the first round, but fell short of that elusive championship. This year, with the dynamic Bohannon duo, the Blue Aces are expected to repeat their 2023 City League title. Plus, there’s even talk about the Aces ending a 41-year state championship drought.
In their season-opener against Wichita Heights, the Aces trampled the Falcons 48-0 and the Bohannon boys contributed their share to the victory. Deuce, the running back, rushed for 190 yards and scored three touchdowns. A’maree, who plays safety, had six tackles and proudly shared he didn’t let any players catch a ball on him.
It was a good start for the brothers, who compiled great stats at Northwest last year. Last year, A’maree piled up 50 tackles and one pick and finished the year with an All-City Honorable Mention nod.
In his sophomore year, Deuce — a versatile player who’s called on and performs well at multiple positions — had 1,250 rushing yards on 110 attempts for an average of 11.3 yards a carry. He also booked 237 receiving yards on 14 attempts for an average 16.9 yards per reception. They were numbers that gained him All-City recognition, plus an All-State nod, something that’s typically reserved for seniors.
THE BEGINNINGS
The brothers began playing football at age six and were coached and played on the Wichita Cowboys team coached by their father, A.J. Bohanon, through middle school.
Deuce was an early standout with natural talent. Prep Kansas has ranked him as the number-one player in his class every year since he was in eighth grade.
“Since second grade, he’s always been the fastest kid and the best player on the field,” says A.J.
A’maree played quarterback on their Junior League team but switched to safety in 2023. A.J. said he put A’maree at the quarterback position out of necessity, but his (A’maree’s) heart was always in defense.
In high school, the switch to safety allowed him to get on the field as a freshman, and he started to excel. At 6 feet and 145 pounds, he has the build for the position, as well as the speed and agility.
“He’s probably the hardest working kid you’ll find because he’s really, really hungry and he knows what he wants,” says the senior Bohannon.
At 5’ 6” and 170 lbs and loads of muscle, Deuce has that low-to-the-ground, thick build, plus the speed needed to excel as a running back.
“I can hide behind my offensive line easier and explode quicker,” says Deuce.
The brothers have put a lot of work into improving their game. Early on, they started working with trainer Brian Butler on speed and agility. When they turned 14, they began weight training with James Tabor. They’ve even added yoga for increased flexibility and movement.
The three Bohannons agree, the goal is stronger and faster.
With outstanding 40 speeds already – A’maree clocked 4.6 seconds and Deuce 4.5 – the brothers are working to cut at least a second off their times.
“When I go to camps next year, I want to have a 4.4 to draw more attention to myself,” said Deuce.
THE TRANSITION TO EAST
The brothers have quickly settled in and adapted to their new team members and coaches.
While Northwest had a strong and structured program, with a winning tradition, the brothers see East High as a great fit they’re enjoying. They say Coach Akpan and his coaching team are providing them the help they need to achieve their next goal, a scholarship to a top-notch Division One program.
“It’s different. At Northwest, everything was about football; here, it’s more like a brotherhood,” says Deuce.
“Here, it’s not just about football, they check up on us,” says A’maree. “They talk to us off the field. We can have conversations with them.”
Coach Akpan feels positive about both brothers and their potential for delivering for the Aces.
Akpan who coaches defense is works closely with A’maree.
“We play safety a little different than he’ has in the past, but he’s going to pick up key thing, I think, very quickly and he’s gonna be a guy that demands respect in the backfield,” says Akpan. “I think he’ll have a great season. I think he’ll be an all city candidate.”
With Deuce playing both running back and wide receiver, Coach Akpan recognizes his value to the team.
“We’ve had some great running backs and some great receivers but we’ve never had one hat can do both,” said Coach Akpan. “I think he’s going to have a big-time season, All-City, All-State. He’s going to be pretty special.” .
THE BROTHERHOOD SECRET SAUCE
The brothers have been best friends since they were little and have a bond they say is unbreakable. It’s a connection going beyond football into all aspects of their lives.
“Our bond is about more than sports,” says Deuce. “Outside of football, we’re even tighter.”
“Everybody knows how we rock,” says A’maree. “We’re always doing something with each other.”
That closeness appears to be the secret sauce that’s helped them excel on and off the field and in the classroom. The brothers are both honor roll students carrying a full load of college prep classes, including some Advanced Placement courses.
A.J. credits their mothers for the brothers’ academic performance.
“Just as much as I pushed football, they pushed academics,” says A.J. “We’ve always taken it serious because, without the proper academic scores and grades, you can’t succeed at sports in the way that you dream about.”
In addition to the family’s push, the brothers push each other. A.J. says A’maree’s push keeps Deuce working on his game instead of depending on his natural talent
“With them doing everything together, he (Deuce) really doesn’t get a chance to be lackadaisical or anything like that. Because if your brother is working hard, it’s pretty hard for you not to.”
COLLEGE RECRUITS
The brothers are getting a lot of attention from colleges. They’ve heard from KU, K-State, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa State, TCU, SMU, and even Yale.
A’maree and Deuce would like to keep the secret sauce going by attending college together but recognize that may not be in their best interest, since they want to get playing time early on in their college career.
“We don’t want to wait until our junior year,” says A’maree. “Based on the school’s need, It could be hard to find a school where we both could get playing time early.”
GODS, GRADES AND GRIDIRON
Since the boys were little, they’ve guided their life by the motto “Gods, Grades and Gridiron.” In that order, as a key to real success, says A.J. God first, grades second and then football.
It’s working.
