One question loomed about who Lutcher’s Ashton Stark would be entering his junior season.

Stark had the talent, but did he have the it factor? His coach, Dwain Jenkins, saw that question answered in last year’s playoffs, when the No. 10 Bulldogs made a run to the Division II nonselect quarterfinals.

Now, in his senior year, Stark is a 3-star Kansas State commitment. The 5-foot-9½, 158-pound two-way star has helped Lutcher to a 6-3 record and leads the team in receiving yards (583 yards) and interceptions (5).

He’s also run for 493 yards and has 10 rushing touchdowns, caught five touchdowns and has one punt return for a touchdown.

“That was the one question that everybody had prior to his junior season,” Jenkins said. “Did he have that dog in him? I thought during that run, Ashton really proved that he had that thing that all the special players have where when the games are the biggest, and the lights are the brightest, that he finds a way to make a play.”

Early origins

Ashton’s dad, Allen Stark, played wide receiver at Lutcher and Louisiana Tech. Ashton said he remembers when his father’s football career ended, he immediately handed the football over to him.

“Growing into the person I am right now, it’s a lot because of my dad,” Stark said. “Having him in my ear is a blessing because obviously he knows what he’s talking about.”

Jenkins played with Stark’s father in high school and watched the star receiver blossom from a child into one of the state’s top players on social media.

“You would see this little bitty kid just outrunning everybody,” Jenkins said. “He was always just a dynamic athlete.”

By the time Stark reached high school, he was ready to play. He finished with 216 receiving yards his freshman year, and has played varsity ever since.

Unlike his father, who was 6-3, Stark settled more into the slot. His speed and separation cause nightmares for defenses. Stark, who also competes in track, credits his burst with helping him make plays.

“Being able to have burst,” he said. “Not like some people in the field, they’ve got to catch up to me.”

Jenkins recognizes Stark’s speed, but his favorite aspect of his game is one not often recognized.

“The really good football players have a way to understand where they are in space, and where everybody else fits in space around them on a football field,” Jenkins said. “That’s what allows him to make plays in all phases.”

It allows Stark to be a threat on punt returns and understand when to jump a route in pass coverage. While he’s a receiver by trade, he’s stepped up to carry the ball more. That ability to find space has allowed him to churn out yards.

“Part of that kind of comes in with the love for the game, but even more than that is the desire to be great,” Jenkins said. “That’s something that’s been instilled in him since he probably first picked up a football.”

Kansas State commitment

Stark committed to Kansas State on June 17. He pointed to Wildcats head coach Collin Klein as a big factor in his recruitment.

“Offensive-minded head coach who likes to push the ball downfield,” he said. “That’s my main thing to have a game plan that could fit me. Somewhere I could just thrive and not just pick a place off of the name.”

He added that the people of Manhattan, Kansas, also stood out.

“They love football,” he said. “They love Kansas State. There’s no better place for me to do it other than Kansas State.”

For Stark, the plan has always been to play college football.

“My whole life, my family’s been pushing me to be in this position,” he said. “I knew what I wanted to do. I didn’t really have a backup plan.”

Still, with one game left in the regular season and the postseason, Stark knows his job at Lutcher isn’t done yet.

“The history over here runs deep, and I’m glad to say that my name could be cemented in there,” he said. “I’ve still got more work to be done to be higher on that list. Winning a state championship is one of them.”