Field Kindley High School senior Trent Akins has a very solid idea of what he wants his final high school football season to entail – he wants to play every game, stay healthy, maximize his potential, and enjoy his senior season with his friends.
The Tornadoes were 6-4 last season. They finished 3-1 in the SEK League, before eventually bowing out of the playoffs to Wellington in the second round. Akins would obviously like to extend that this season by going deeper into the playoffs, but when he says he would like to play every game, he is also likely referring to injury issues. Akins, who plays D-Line and Tight End for Coffeyville, tore his UCL in his elbow throwing the javelin during the spring track season. It has been a tough road back for the senior, and although he is “back in the groove of training,” he still will likely have to wear a brace this season.
Even with that kind of adversity, Akins is not one to complain; in fact, Trent sees his role more as somebody who leads and facilitates for those around him. When asked what he thought his role on this year’s squad would be, he responded, “A team player. Someone who will let the guy next to me make a play, if necessary.”
One of Trent’s fondest memories of football was winning the “Newcomer of the Year” award for the Tornadoes, so when asked what he might do to top that, he simply replied, “No specific goals. I just want to be the best D-Lineman that I can possibly be.”
In the classroom, Trent has an impressive cumulative G.P.A. of 3.506. That success as a student has opened up yet another honor that Akins can take pride in, “I am looking forward to joining the National Honor Society next year. I love the opportunities it offers.”
After high school, Trent plans to earn an associate’s degree and obtain his welding certificate from Wichita State University.