By Mackynlie Conklin | After a year full of uncertainty, and a non-traditional season last semester, the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets are back and stronger than ever!
The Jackets kicked off the 2021 fall season with a win against Texas Lutheran University on Saturday, September fourth. Although this season is technically Coach Jason Bachtel’s second season, it is the first full traditional season under his leadership.
Prior to HPU, Bachtel was the Offensive Coordinator for Argyle High School, which he led to win a state championship, and he was also the Offensive Coordinator for East Texas Baptist University. Bachtel stepped in to fill the role of Head Football Coach after Braxton Harris left the program.
“I’m a big believer that you must have a set of core values of what you talk about and live out daily,” said Bachtel.”
Using the letters HPU as a foundation, Bachtel has created values and standards within them in which he holds each of his players to.
“H – Hardest working in the nation and in the conference, P – Be the most physically dominating team, and U – Unity in the locker room to spread The Word and unify our world,” said Bachtel.
Graduate student Jake Parker spoke highly of Bachtel and the future for the Jackets.
“He wants to win plain and simple. He wants to revive the program and he will do anything to help us do that,” said Parker.
Parker, a wide receiver on the team, has been able to create an atmosphere of brotherhood and fellowship through his time on the team. Being one of four returning graduate students, Parker decided to take advantage of the COVID eligibility offered from the last season not only for extra playing time, but to finish his collegiate football career by leaving all of his effort on the field.
“My Teammates and I have worked so hard it just didn’t feel right for me to leave them if I still had an opportunity to play for the Yellow Jackets,” said Parker. “I know what i can do on the field and I felt that if I came back I could help HPU have a really special season.”
James “Jimmie” Jakubowski, a senior defensive lineman on the team, also expressed high hopes for the Jackets’ future.
“Coach Bachtel and the new staff have brought a new mentality to HPU football. They’ve brought an intensity that I have never had in my entire football career,” said Jakubowski.
Jakubowski has been a part of the Yellow Jackets since his freshman year and says he’s most looking forward to the camaraderie on the team this year.
“Between the locker room antics, bus rides, and the environment we make, being together is the best feeling. It’s like our second home and we’ve just become a huge family,” Jakubowski said.
This season is one of high hopes and hard work as the Jackets strive for a winning season under Bachtel’s leadership. However, Bachtel’s focus isn’t only on the game. His players’ academics play a role in his standards as well.
“We strive for excellence on and off the field. We are looking to be excellent stewards of the resources that have been given to us by our University and all those it encompasses,” said Bachtel.
The Yellow Jackets will have a full schedule this season going head to head with our rival schools from across the state. The team would appreciate as much support as possible as the program gets back to normal and strives to make this season the best yet. The jackets will face McMurry University in Abilene on Saturday, September 11th at 1 p.m.
“We are in great hands,” said Parker.