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| Aubrey Oswalt, Photo from OPSU |
By Shawn Tripputi
Sportswriter
Special for TexSport Publications
SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (August 20, 2012) It is August, and
that only means football is right around the corner. That is especially true
for two San Marcos
Academy graduates. Aubrey
Oswalt and Eddy Haddad both graduated from SMA this past spring, and were
recently named Texas All-Stars, and played in the SportsmarketingExperts.com
Bowl in Houston, Texas.
The two teammates have played in high school, but now they are
going to do what many dream of doing, playing college football. Aubrey and Eddy
both have reported to Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) to launch
their football and academic careers.
OPSU is a Division II school that is on the rise. According to
last season statistics, the OPSU Aggies ranked second in overall defense. In
addition to the good defense, they also hired an offensive minded coach in
Russell Gaskamp. Gaskamp, has plenty of offensive experience when he played for
the University of
Texas. He helped Heisman
Trophy winner Ricky Williams lead the nation in rushing in 1998, and paved the
way for UT to be ranked among the nation’s top 25. He has also spent the past
seven years coaching in the Lone Star Conference, with his last stop being in Angelo State
University.
Many times high school football players that attend private
schools get overlooked for various reasons, but Gaskamp believes there are some
gems that can be found. “I think it is a common mistake to overlook private
school athletes in Texas…
There are plenty of good football players in the private ranks and we feel like
these two guys have a chance to develop into quality players for the Aggies
down the road.” Gaskamp also said, “OPSU will always be open and actively
recruit private school kids that need a chance to blossom at the NCAA Div. II
level.”
Aubrey had a few offers to play at other colleges, but he chose
OPSU for a reason. "I have really enjoyed the football staff and the
campus at OPSU. I am blessed to have the opportunity to play college football
on the D2 level and get my degree.” Aubrey will play tight end for the Aggies,
and Gaskamp is looking forward to it, “We are always looking for TE body types
because they are less and less used at the HS level and Aubrey fits that mold.”
Aubrey is also quick to point to who helped him get to where he is, “I have had
so many people in San Marcos along with my family contribute to my
foundation to get me here to Oklahoma."
There is big difference of pace from high school to college
football, but Aubrey is up to the challenge. “The game here is much faster than
high school but I am adjusting and look forward to contributing to the Aggies
program in anyway.”
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| Eddy Haddad, Photo from OPSU |
Aubrey’s former, and now future teammate Eddy Haddad will be
playing defensive end for the Aggies. “Defensive line prospects are always
difficult to find and we were glad to pick up Eddy late. He has worked hard to
change his body over the summer.” Coach Gaskamp said. Eddy is also very excited
to be working with the OPSU coaches. “The coaches are unbelievably amazing!
They are very smart and I am glad to be coached under them, and I look forward
to an incredible year.”
Eddy also was amazed at the atmosphere that OPSU provides. “The
college is great! [It has] great people, and everyone is very welcoming.”
Aubrey and Eddy have already started practice and are working
really hard to help the team out in anyway they can, and Coach Gaskamp already
sees that. “We are real excited about Aubrey and Eddy joining the OPSU Football
team. Both have shown flashes early in camp and are working hard to
learn.”
The OPSU Aggies open their 2012 football schedule Sept. 1 against the Missouri University S&T Miners, a Great Lakes Valley Conference member, in Rolla, Missouri.
The OPSU Aggies open their 2012 football schedule Sept. 1 against the Missouri University S&T Miners, a Great Lakes Valley Conference member, in Rolla, Missouri.
