Football senior night: The night that we celebrate our senior Texans’ journey from start to finish. This night is all about looking to their future while also appreciating their accomplishments. As our seniors trade their helmets and jerseys for caps and gowns, we should acknowledge the achievements they have made throughout their time as a part of our football team.
Erik Peters
Erik Peters is our starting kicker who won us the game-winning field goal in the playoffs last year. But his story didn’t always start on the goalposts. “From age three to 16, I played soccer, which made me the kicker I am today by developing a natural swing when kicking,” says Peters. “I got into football when my middle school coach came to me and asked me to be the kicker for the football team.” Since then, he’s developed a passion for kicking, and he is committed to honing his skills. “For kicking, technique is everything rather than how strong you are,” says Peters. But before swinging his leg and taking a kick, he hones his mind. “Before taking any kick, regardless of the situation, I focus on just being as confident in myself as possible,” says Peters. This game-winning approach has driven him to pursue college football, with an eye on schools like the University of Kansas, University of Houston, and University of Louisiana Lafayette. As a senior kicker, Peters offers some simple but powerful advice to his young underclassmen. “Prioritize perfecting your technique, and everything else will come along with that,” says Peters. As Peters graduates and moves on to the brighter field lights of college football, his legacy at Lamar will serve as inspiration for underclassmen for years to come.
Dramodd “Goofy” Odams
Dramodd “Goofy” Odams is an All-American offensive lineman whose intense playing style has turned him into a dominant force on the field, driven by his overwhelming need to succeed. “I love hitting hard and the feeling of winning,” says Odams. He has become a destructive force on the field, something that’s been acknowledged since the beginning of high school football career. “I’ll never forget when I got my first college offer during my freshman year,” says Odams. “Two things that have helped me grow as a player are my competitive spirit and my strong dislike for losing.” So far, Odams has racked up 31 college offers, something that most could only dream of achieving. He has also been selected to play in the All American Bowl, a premier high school football game that features the top 100 high school senior football players from all across the country. This esteemed feat is only the beginning of the bigger picture: Becoming an acclaimed football star. “After high school, I plan to go to college, play football at the next level, and eventually aim for the NFL to make a name for myself,” says Odams. He has committed to Southern Methodist University, and will start his college football career next fall. His grit and determination will serve as a mark for the next generations of Texans.
Lealand “Trey” Douglas
Lealand “Trey” Douglas is one of Lamar’s wide receivers. His football journey began when he was seven years old. He started playing flag football and eventually switched over to tackle football. “My dad was a big part of why I began playing football,” says Douglas. “He used to play at the professional level and also coached football for about 15 years.” His support hasn’t only come from inside of his home, though. “A really big part of my growth and journey throughout football was former coach, Coach Swain,” says Douglas. “He always believed in me as a player and taught me so many skills that I incorporate in my game now.” His long-lived football career took a major turn when he became a Texan, with one of his most recent achievements being scoring three touchdowns against Bellaire on senior night. Douglas has decided to not leave football behind after graduating from high school. “I will be continuing my football career in college. I will be committing to a school by the end of this year’s season,” Douglas says. Soon enough, Douglas’ astounding career as a Texan will be over, but as he pursues football elsewhere, he will have the inspiration to push him to do what he really loves.
