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HEART, PASSION DRIVE VB’S KAMERON COLLINS

Heart, passion drive VB’s Kameron Collins

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 7/31/2016

PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Mitchell

Beads of sweat have formed on Kameron Collins' forehead. His Van Buren Pointers t-shirt is wringing wet with perspiration.

It's the last Friday in July. Collins is squatting near Blakemore Field. He's talking Pointers' football.

And whether it's the coldest day of January or the hottest day of summer, he's wearing a smile.

"The best thing about Kameron is he doesn't have bad days," says second-year Van Buren coach Greg Werner. "Regardless of what's taken place outside, he's the same kid when he walks in the door."

It's leaders like Collins that Werner believe can help turn the Pointers' football program around. The school has won five or more games in a season just once in the last 15 years.

One of the things Werner implemented was team captains. Of the 27 possible votes for team captain, Collins received 26 first place votes.

"That meant a lot to me," beams Collins. "I knew most of the guys looked up to me in the locker room in different ways. I knew they looked up to me. Now it's my job to help them."

Collins' job is pretty clear cut: work hard on the field, and even harder in the locker room.

"Last year, we didn't even have a group of captains," Collins said. "This year, we decided that every player deserves the same amount, and that seniors wouldn't look down at sophomores and juniors. Everybody is looked at the same.

"It's a brotherhood."

Collins is one of six returning defensive starters for the Pointers. He not only brings experience at cornerback but is also like having an extra coach on the field.

"He's one of the better leaders I've had in awhile," Werner said. "You'll see him in our sophomore locker room talking to kids. He's about talking to everybody and making everybody part of the team."

"If somebody messes up, you have to pick them up," Collins said. "You have to always be there for each other, no matter if it's off the field or on the field."

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Collins, who may also play some "wildcat" quarterback this season, as well as pinch-hit at running back, is a shutdown corner with 4.6 speed. Werner believes he start for anyone in the state.

"It's kind of a complicated position," Collins said. "Sometimes, with my size, I'm not as tall as receivers I have to play against. (But) there are other ways, in different schemes, to get things right. It makes up for other areas, and having teammates help me when we're playing zone or man helps us all become better players."

Role models

Collins had great role models growing up, he said. Most notably, his grandpa Dow Manuel had a huge influence in his life.

"My biggest role model is my grandpa; he's always been there," Collins said. "The first thing I got when I was born was a football. That's the very first thing that was in my cradle. He's kind of been like my dad in a way."

Not that Collins' dad (Kerry Collins) isn't close to his dad, also.

"My grandpa and my dad, those are two guys I really look up to," he said.

Collins has had a football in his hand since he was 5. And it didn't take long to develop a passion for it.

"It helps me keep my head on straight," he said. "It's a good way for me to spread God's word in different ways. It's a good way to have a release if I have any type of stress. Plus, it gives me a way to give back to the community."

Over the hump

Twenty years ago this fall the Pointers won a state title, their fourth overall and first since 1977.

But for much of the 2000s, Van Buren has struggled.

"We haven't had many winning seasons, but having a coaching staff here that wants to win, and having coach "P" and coach Dawson, who won a lot of games here as players, they want to see those days come back," Collins said. "We want to win games for them. Plus, it's a big thing, because there isn't any other Van Buren Pointer around."

A month from now, the Pointers open the season on a Tuesday against Alma. They also play Northside and Siloam Springs in nonconference play before starting what should be a pretty wide open 7A-West.

Is this the year?

Three of the 7A-West foes, Springdale, Rogers and Heritage, combined for three wins in 2015.

"We have to do everything right and put our unselfishness away," Collins said. "We have to be more for the players and not just for yourself. Every time something negative happens you have to think in a positive way and not lay down for the other team."
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