By CHRIS COX

Like a lot of kids, Skiatook sophomore Hunter Howell started playing soccer at a young age. But unlike most kids who go on to play other sports, his passion for soccer never waned.

“I started playing soccer when I was about four,” he says. “When I was a kid, I liked kicking and that interested me then but since my parents first signed me up, I’ve liked it. Now, I enjoy being outside and being out there with my friends.”

While the relational aspect of soccer is something that Howell enjoys, he is still a competitor and has plenty of goals set for himself and his team this year.

“Personally, this season, I’d like to be the leading scorer on the team,” he admits. “As a team, I want us to win districts, have a positive win record, and do better than we did last year.”

Although he is just a sophomore, Howell is trying to assert himself more as a leader on this Skiatook squad. For him, that starts with displaying good character on and off the field.

“On the field, when we are down, I try not to lose my head or argue with the refs if a call doesn’t go our way,” he says. “Off the field, character means setting a good example for others.”

That character Howell tries to display has caught the attention of many including his head coach James Jones.

“Hunter is a great kid,” Jones says. “He never argues. He keeps playing and he give 110% regardless of what the score is or what’s happening during the game. Off the field, he’s always talking and is one of the best kids out there.”

It’s those reasons, along with his play on the field, that Jones believes Howell could be a leader on this team over the next couple of years.

“He’s definitely going to one of our leaders in the coming years,” Jones says. “He’s still young but he is starting to grow into that leadership role.”

Outside of soccer, Howell plays basketball for the Bulldogs. While he still has a couple of years left in high school, Howell has made it clear that he wants to keep playing soccer at the next level.

“I want to go to college to play soccer,” he says. “I’m just not sure where.”