About the Author Ella Hippel

I talked to senior Mark Haynes about helping younger players, what he listens to before a game, and what he gets at Denny’s.

Ella: How long have you been playing football and in what ways has it influenced your life?

Mark: I’ve been playing football since I was five years old. It has influenced my life by I guess just keeping me disciplined and keeping me in shape; always being able to be coachable since I joined at such a young age. Getting some leadership skills. You know it’s just a good sport to play. Teamwork, leadership skills, and discipline. That’s how it’s influenced me.

Ella: What’s the best play you’ve ever made?

Mark: I don’t have one. I just kind of take it play by play, I don’t really remember my games very much, I don’t know why, maybe it’s head injuries (laughs), I don’t know. If I had to pick one it would probably be when I was like five years old I scored a touchdown. That was pretty cool.

(We all agreed the Lighthouse game in Atoka)

Ella: If you could play any other position, what would it be and why?

Mark: I guess it’d be tight end on offense. I like my defensive position but if I had to switch anything on offense it’d be tight end just because I’m tired of playing on the o-line.

Ella: Do you have a pregame playlist, and if so, what’s on it?

Mark: I don’t really have a pregame playlist, it’s just whatever I feel like that day, whatever my mood is you know. Sometimes I listen to classical music, sometimes I listen to metal, rap, sometimes even classic country. It doesn’t really matter, just what I feel like.

Ella: What are you looking forward to most this season?

Mark: I guess just the teamwork and the championship. You know, building these guys up, trying to get good stats. Especially the championship though. I can’t emphasize that enough. But honestly just like the teamwork, family, you know being part of the brotherhood and just playing football.

Ella: After a game, where are you going out to eat and what are you ordering?

Mark: I’m going to Denny’s and I’m getting a double bacon cheeseburger, extra fries, a milkshake, and chocolate chip pancakes. Two of those.

Ella: Finally, what are your goals for spring ball?

Mark: My goals for spring ball are just bringing up the younger guys, some of the freshman, rising freshman, some of the middle grade guys. Just making sure they get their technique down. Getting them lots of reps and working on our craft and just getting ready for fall.

Leave a Comment