Kaylee Davis 

Writer

Senior Avery Payne has been a part of the Marlow High School football team for four years, and has played for Marlow since the eighth grade.

“I joined the team because I had always wanted to play football, and I knew Marlow had a good tradition of football,” Payne said. “My favorite part of the sport is the brotherhood that you build in the locker room.”

Payne had great accomplishments throughout his time playing football, such as, playing in the 2021 season State Championship game and serving as a leader for the team.

This year alone, Payne has served as one of the team’s starters for the team’s first two victories of the season, the first against the Chickasha Chicks with a score of 45-14, and the second against the Comanche Indians with a score of 62-0.

Payne has served as the team’s wide receiver for two years and additionally became the team’s punter this year. 

Not only has Payne built up his skills in athletics, he has spent his time building friendships with fellow team members and classmates.

Senior Gehrig Furr  met Payne in middle school, the two meeting through Marlow’s Junior Varsity football team

“Avery has been a great friend and is basically family,” Furr stated. “He is very driven and one of my best friends.”

Senior Jacob Windsor has also known Payne since middle school, the two meeting through a mutual friend and immediately becoming friends.

“Avery has been a great person, a good leader and a great friend since the start,” Windsor expressed. “He is pretty much always there for you anytime you need him.”

Payne will take his athletic abilities with him to a university after graduation, where he will participate in either football or basketball as he pursues a degree in sports medicine.