KCK Preps Player Spotlight: Harmon Hawks linebacker Darrin Hawkins

 
Though he's a pretty good receiver and offensive player in his own right, the anchor of Harmon's defense this fall is expected to be senior Darrin Hawkins.

Hawkins is perhaps the best two-way player at J.C. Harmon High School and when glancing at last year's stats, that argument can be validated.

Defensively, Hawkins had 83 total tackles for the Hawks last year, averaging 9.2 tackles a game for Harmon. He had at least five tackles each game, hitting a season high 12-tackle mark twice last year.

Along with those 83 tackles, Hawkins had a sack.

Still, Hawkins did some damage on the offensive side of the football as well.

He had 22 receptions for 305 yards, one touchdown and had 77 return yards on four kickoff returns.

"Last year was a good season for me," Hawkins said. "Some games I didn't have enough gas and didn't have the mental toughness. That's where I have to improve at this year."

Hawkins has aggressively hit the weights this year and has been running track during the summer.

Like last year, he figures to be involved in both the offense and defense for Harmon. He was a team captain last year.

As far as goals entering this year, Hawkins has two specific ones – winning the Kansas City Kansas-Atchison League and defeating the Sumner Academy Sabres.

"In my four years of being a high school athlete, I have not beaten Sumner Academy yet and that's one of my personal goals for myself," Hawkins said. "We've been working this entire summer and we know it's going to be hard work."

Last year, Harmon finished the season 3-6, but let a few of those losses get away from them. There was the close one possession loss to Atchison and then losing the 19-0 lead to Sumner Academy.

Hawkins believes Harmon will have to improve on the mental side of things in order to take home a league crown.

"Last year, we had a number of games we could have won but just gave up," he said. "It will come down to mental toughness this year and our coaches have done a great job of challenging us mentally and physically."

"We'll be ready for any challenge thrown our way."

Read More

KCK Preps Player Spotlight: Harmon Hawks quarterback Terrance Simmons

Coming into the 2011 football year, the Harmon Hawks are a contender to earn their first Kansas City Kansas – Atchison League football crown in over a decade.

The players believe a league title is possible.

One of those players is returning quarterback Terrance Simmons.

Simmons guided the Hawks to a 3-6 record, it's best season in six years.

"Well, last season the team had improved significantly from the previous season before," Simmons said. "Many players started to bond together and get on the same page as the season progressed. Me being the quarterback, my leadership role had to be a tool to the newcomers and the clueless."

With a young offensive line in front of him, Simmons made plays throughout the year.

He connected on a 94-yard touchdown pass to Herman Ming against Sumner Academy and nearly threw for 350 yards against Mill Valley last year.

Overall, he surpassed 1,100 yards in the air and scored 11 total touchdowns for Harmon, second behind Herman Ming.

Along with the touchdown passes, Simmons is a dual-threat quarterback. He shredded a really good Turner Golden Bears defense last year on a long touchdown run to keep the Hawks in the game early on.

Simmons figures to be an important part of the puzzle for Harmon this year.

He's grown to 6'3" in height, giving him a better opportunity at taking advantage of his size and athletic abilities.

"My main goal is to teach my teammates to be responsible educated young men," Simmons said. "With those attributes you can be anything you want to be."

Simmons said the team's big goal this year is a league title.

With Armand Brisbane graduating from Sumner Academy, Simmons is the most experienced quarterback returning in the league, something he thinks could give the Hawks a boost.

"Two years ago Harmon was a laughing stock," Simmons said. "I can remember the hunger around the community and change was ready to take charge. We stayed humble and now success is the upcoming outcome."

Read More