By Elizabeth Contreras
For Jenks sophomore punter Braden Favell, football isn’t just a game of kicks and punts. It’s a proving ground for character and continued growth.
“It means being on a team with great friends,” he said.
Simple words, but for Favell, they represent his purpose on the field each week. He is surrounded by teammates who push him, support him, and make every practice and game worth it. Favell takes a grounded approach to the game.
“I just go through the week one day at a time,” he said. The experience continues to shape his confidence, teaching him to handle challenges with perspective. “One day could be bad, but that doesn’t mean the rest of my days have to be.”
That perspective is strengthened by the guidance of his coach.
“Coach Morris tells me how I can be a better player,” Favell explained. From Coach Morris, Favell gained his biggest piece of advice yet: “to never put my head down.”
Balancing school, football, and other responsibilities requires steady focus, and it’s something he has learned to manage well. As an Eagle Scout, Favell’s time management and self-discipline have become second nature, serving him well both in the classroom and on the field.
Outside the demands of Eagle Scouts and football, Favell’s focus on academics remains unwavering. He took ACT prep courses through Huntington Learning Center, a decision that paid off with noticeable gains.
“My experience at Huntington was great,” said Favell. “My ACT score was higher, and my PSAT score was higher as well.”
Favell’s drive to improve touches every part of his life, and the focus he applies in the classroom is just as evident on the field. On game days, you can usually find him with headphones on, getting into the zone with his favorite pregame music.
As Favell reflects on his journey thus far, he hopes to truly grasp the profound imprint football has left on his life.
“I hope to remember the person I became after football,” he shared, a statement that speaks less of endings and more of evolution.
Grounded in discipline and humility, Favell continues to lay a foundation that reaches far beyond the turf, brick by brick, week by week, and game by game.
