Garfield Hawk has a more serious mentality.
The Temple graduate desperately wants to play college football in the fall but hasn’t found a home yet.
So Hawk is treating tonight’s inaugural Fellowship of Christian Athletes Super Centex Victory Bowl, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 at Baylor’s Floyd Casey Stadium, as an audition for recruiters.
“I never lose that drive,” said Hawk, who was an All-District 12-5A second-team selection as a senior. “Everyday I think about it - I think about the lights. They get me ready to go. I just have a passion for it.”
Hawk will be joined by Temple teammates Brett Gunn and Chris Winkler and Belton’s Kyle Voss on the Red Team. Cody Gangloff of Belton was named to the roster but isn’t expected to play because of a knee injury.
Salado’s Jeff Cheatham, Killeen’s Sam Jones and two others will assist Red Team head coach Mark Bell of China Spring. Troy’s Grady Rowe will assist Blue head coach Johnny Tusa of Waco, who retired after 23 years.
Of the 93 players named to the all-star game, 37 are from area schools.
Hawk is looking at NCAA Division I North Texas and Division I-AA Texas State and has sent film to Division II Virginia State, among other schools in hopes of sparking interest.
Since national signing day passed on Feb. 4, he’s been keeping a positive mindset while patiently waiting to get a call regarding his future.
“It’s been pretty tough, especially now,” said Hawk, who will play defensive tackle tonight instead of his regular end position. “Signing day has been over. It’s really tough.”
With a standout performance, Hawk, who was listed at 235 pounds during the season, could attract potential suitors. If not, the former Wildcat, who wants to eventually become a football scout, still plans to walk on at one of the aforementioned schools and continue his playing career.
Unlike Hawk, Gunn made his future official in February, committing to play at Division III power Mary Hardin-Baylor. A third-team all-state center who led Temple’s run-based Wing-T offense, Gunn was also named to the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game in July, the first Wildcat to receive that honor since 1993.
“It’s good to know that I can play with all these good athletes,” said Gunn, who will be teaming up with 16 players who were opponents last season. “It’s fun to join forces with a lot of guys that I’ve had to watch out for the last two years.
“It’s especially weird with Voss from Belton because we’ve been beating each other’s brains in for so long.”
Voss, who’s headed to Division II West Texas A&M, recorded 332 tackles and started 30 consecutive games during his three years as a Tiger linebacker.
He’ll rotate between inside and outside linebacker tonight and also could get some time at running back.
“First of all, I’m honored to play in this game,” said the always-energetic Voss, who will play alongside Daric Gorton of China Spring and against Craig Watts of Killeen and Marc Waller of Groesbeck, all future college teammates.
“It’s an honor for me because they recognize my talents. I guess you can call it a tune-up for West Texas A&M.”
Winkler, a third-team all-state punter who handled all of Temple’s kicking duties, is a “preferred walk-on” who hopes to earn a spot at Baylor. His career-long field goal in a game is 42 yards, but he said he can convert from more than 50 and has made a 65-yarder in practice.
“It’s just a testament to the hard work we’ve put in the last four years,” Winkler said. “It gives me a chance to shine one last time as a high schooler.”
When asked if he’ll get an opportunity to attempt a long field goal tonight, a smiling Winkler replied: “I haven’t talked to (Coach Bell) yet, but I’m going to try and convince him to give me a few chances.”
