Mackynlie Conklin | Football season at Howard Payne University has kicked off to a great start. The Yellow Jackets took home the win this past Saturday with a 48-34 victory over Austin College. This was the team’s first season opening win since 2014.
Even though the oldest class of players didn’t experience the 2014 season defining win, they had the opportunity to create their own. With working tirelessly over this past summer and grinding during practice, this year’s seniors are seeing their hard work and dedication come to fruition in their last season as Howard Payne Yellow Jackets.
“Persistence has been [essential] especially with as many set-backs as we’ve had. Being persistent every single day can truly be hard but [its part of the success].” said Britt Boler, senior linebacker, number 9, from Midland.
The amount of work these players put in to successfully play and potentially win a game is exceptional. Since the end of last season, the Jackets have put in the work from off-season to boot camp, to summer workouts and now to 5 a.m. weights and 4 p.m. practices and everything in between. However, the work doesn’t end on the field. These seniors have seen the ways Howard Payne and teamwork has shaped them over their time here.
“Being here at HPU has taught be to enjoy the little things, and not take anything for granted,” Robert Evans, center, number 60, also from Midland, explained of his time as a student at HPU.
Teamwork and comradery are key factors to the way this team works. Being a member of the football team’s leadership council has impacted Trishawn Townes, free safety, number 7, from Groesbeck. He explained that HPU has helped him become more vocal and invested in his teammates, leadership-wise.
“We all have our own role that we understand [even though there aren’t assigned roles]. It makes it easier to understand who has which role and that helps us all work together,” Townes said of the Leadership Council.
As the season continues, there will be learning opportunities for the new players and the less experienced returners to learn from these seniors. After all, what is wisdom if you can’t pass it on? Commitment and focus are a priority in having a great season and a solid foundation for teamwork. With only a handful of years of eligibility it is imperative to these players that they put in their best efforts and truly trust the process to see the end results.
“Trusting the process and cherishing these moments from growing up in football is a big part of who we are. Being a freshman to a senior, time seems to fly so I think it’s important to cherish that time,” said Robert Evans.
“Each week is a new week and being able to practice and play with these guys is special because it’s the last one. Every time I’m feeling sore, or tired, or even frustrated I have to tell myself ‘this is the last one. Take advantage of it’. There’s not one [specific] thing I’m focusing on but everything because it’s the last of it,” Britt Boler stated.
With the number of returners from last season to this season the chemistry between the players and coaches is apparent. It is something that hasn’t been done here before. This past weekend was just proof that trusting the process can lead to victory in the long run.
The Yellow Jackets are set to face McMurry University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14th in Abilene. Make sure to come out and support or tune in to the live stream audio show at https://hpusports.com/watch/?Live=2&type=Live.