“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” was a simple advice that motivated one Marlow senior to make one of the best decisions of his life. That decision? Moving to Marlow.

Hector Bullock played little league for Empire at Abe Raisin Park beginning at age seven. He said that what he remembers most about the experience is losing to Marlow in the championship game.

“Marlow had 40 plus players… we had 18, and only half of us truly understood what was going on,” Bullock said.

Former and current teammate, senior Nick Yates, who also played for Empire, remembers this dreadful night as well.

“We hated Marlow our whole lives after that. Even to this day, our friends still mouth us in the locker room,” Yates said. “Just thinking about it makes me mad.”

Yates, who still remembers that the score was 14-7, said his dad was the person who advised him and Bullock to “join ‘em” (the Marlow Outlaws.)

Bullock’s mother did not want him to play football but Robert Yates convinced her to do so.

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to be a part of his life. The day I went and talked to his mother I never dreamed our friendship would become what it is. I’d say                 God really blessed me on that day.”

–Robert Yates

Yates was Bullock’s little league coach, and he has had a big influence on his life.

“He has always had a big impact on all sports I’ve ever done. He was my first to ever teach me,” Bullock said. “He is basically a father to me.”

After moving to Duncan his eighth grade year, Bullock made the move to Marlow during his second semester of his freshman year because of its sports program.

“At first I dreaded coming to Marlow, but I knew it was the right thing to do,” Bullock said. “I already had some friends here.”

Bullock has played center and defensive end as a starter for Marlow ever since.

This year, he received the honor of being named 3A District Defensive Lineman of the Year.

He plans to take football to the next level and hopes to play for Southeastern University in Durant.

Marlow head coach Jeremy Gage feels he would be an asset to any team.

“Hector is an outstanding young man. He is not only a great athlete, but he is intelligent,” Gage said. “He is respected by all of the teachers as well as his peers because of his outstanding character.”

Bullock is the son of Patricia and Jimmy Bullock.

Destiny Nowlin

MHS exPRESS writer