Liberty-Eylau’s Hampton continues resiliency

TEXARKANA, Texas — Liberty-Eylau’s Takylan Hampton not only wants to leave his mark on the Leopards athletic program, but also his entire student body.

Hampton has been a threeyear letterman on the football and basketball teams, being a vocal leader even when he was an underclassman.

Hampton was a part of the Leopards team that went winless in 2019 to finishing 2020 with a 6-5 overall record and a 3-2 District 8-4A Division II finish with a playoff berth.

“Everything we’ve been through has taught us all a lot,” Hampton said. “I appreciate everything the coaches did for us, but it just didn’t go our way a few times out there.

“This past football season was a big turnaround for us. I’m glad we proved to ourselves we could make the playoffs despite everything that was going on. That was one of our biggest goals as a team. We wanted to go further, but our main goal was to win games and go to the playoffs.”

Hampton has endured three coaching changes in football and basketball, yet still remained a positive light for his teammates throughout both programs.

“I want people to always say I was one of the hardest workers that have come through Liberty-Eylau,” Hampton said.

Hampton is the son of Torrey and Antoinette Hampton. He’s also the older brother of Leopard standout JJ Hampton.

“I also try to make sure the younger guys know to keep their grades up starting their freshman year,” Hampton said. “How you begin high school with your grades matters.

“Personally, I’ve seen how a low grade point average can affect people. It’s hard to bring something up or catch up, when you start off slow or at the bottom.”

Hampton also plans to major in kinesiology once he gets to college in the fall.

“I want to be a coach,” Hampton said. “I want to be able to help younger kids possibly get a opportunity I was unable to get.”