By CAYDEN SANDERS
The Fort Hays State University football team will lean on one of the newest coaches on the staff to help solidify the cornerback position. Hunter Brown, the former FHSU safety from a year ago, looks to make the shift from player to coach in a short time.
“Last year, I was a part of this team, and now being a coach is different for sure,” said Brown, the son of head coach Chris Brown. “With me being a former player, I know what these guys can do for us. Not only that, but each practice I know how to motivate each one of them to keep getting better.”
For the rookie coach, switching into the position has changed his outlook on the game but not for his former teammates and players.
“As a former player, your relationship with older players will change for sure, and you have to walk the fine line of that,” he said. “But I think at the end of the day, the players I have that played with me last year that I am going to motivate them to be the best they can be.”
The cornerback room has two upperclassmen on the roster, juniors Trevion Mitchell and Kobe Rome. Brown will lean on their leadership throughout the season.
“It’s not every day that you have great players like Trevion (Mitchell) and Kobe (Rome),” Brown said. “They are great leaders on and off the field. They always give it their all, and as a coach, you love to get that from your players.”
Last season for Mitchell, the injury bug bit him and cost him three games.
“Last year, I missed a couple of games because of injury. This year, I am dealing with another injury that has kept me out of fall camp,” the Maize South High School product said. “But we are slowly working me in to get some reps and be ready for the season.”
Having Mitchell on one of the islands will boost coverage on the field. Last season, Mitchell started all eight games he played. Within those games, the sophomore collected 28 tackles, which placed him 10th on the team. Ten of the tackles came in the season finale against Pitt State. Mitchell also earned three pass breakups, with two coming against Northeastern State.
“I have big expectations for myself this season,” Mitchell said. “With me missing out on those three games, I could have had a lot better of a year. The goal is to get me back on the field, but also to stay healthy and be able to help my team consistently.”
Rome is coming off a redshirt freshman season and saw the field all 11 weeks, including one start. In those 11 appearances, he collected five tackles with a season-high of two against Central Missouri. Rome also recorded a pass breakup.
“For me, the offseason was about getting better, and with being a cornerback, you are expected to handle your job on your own,” said Rome, who is from Chandler, Ariz. “So getting bigger, faster, stronger will help me continue to get better.”
Rome experienced high school football in a large light but said Fort Hays is different than being out in Arizona.
“Chandler is a hotbed for high school football, and the community loves it. But fans are spread throughout multiple high schools,” he said. “When I came out here for college, it was a different feel as you still feel the same amount of engagement, if not more, from the fans because you’re playing for not only the town but people that love Fort Hays around the area.”
Fort Hays had its first practice with full pads Saturday. The Tigers look to continue working towards another team scrimmage this Saturday before classes start Aug. 21. The first game is on the road Aug. 31 at Northeastern State.
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