MISSION — Mission Veterans’ Mark Champion served as a wrecking ball on the Patriots’ defense as a senior.
The 6-foot-2 defensive end terrorized opponents’ backfields night after night, racking up 15 sacks, 28 tackles for loss and 24 quarterback hurries.
One play, however, highlighted Champion’s game-changing ability more than any other all season. Late during the fourth of a district contest against Sharyland High, Champion deflected a screen pass and came down with the interception, running it back 48 yards for a touchdown, sealing the Patriots’ victory.
“That one had a big impact on us winning a share of the district championship and getting the No. 1 seed,” Gilpin said. “That was a one score game at the time it happened. They had the ball around midfield. Mark’s pick-six opened it up to a two-score game. … He was smart enough to recognize the screen. He’s athletic enough to make a play. Then he’s got enough speed to take it all the way to the endzone. … There are some plays that stand out in the course of a career or a season and that one just stands out.”
Plays like that garnered Champion attention from several universities, including Hardin-Simmons, Southwestern and Sul Ross State.
After considering each option, Champion made his decision official Thursday, signing his national letter of intent to play at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, a Division III program in the American Southwest Conference.
“It feels good,” Champion said. “I’ve had this dream since I was a little kid. For it to finally happen, it just feels good. On my visit to Hardin-Simmons, the atmosphere of the school, the facilities on campus, all the coaches and players, they made it feel like home.”
Champion first stepped onto the gridiron for Mission Veterans as a sophomore, recording three sacks and six tackles for loss in limited action, setting up for a potential breakout junior season.
One game into his junior campaign, Champion suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, delaying his breakout another year.
Champion’s senior campaign, in which he earned The Monitor’s 2021 All-Area Defensive Player of the Year award, ranks among the best in Patriots history, setting the single-season record in sacks (15), tackles for loss (28) and forced fumbles (6).
He leaves Mission Veterans as the career leader in sacks with 18, despite being limited to only one full season as a starter. He also ranks third in career forced fumbles (7), quarterback hurries (33) and tackles for loss (34).
“I hope future athletes want to break the records,” Champion said. “I hope future athletes try their best to break them so they can leave their mark here as well.”
While Champion made several plays for the Patriots during his final year, it’s his off-field presence that he’ll remember the most, Gilpin said, with Champion always bringing the energy at practice and in the locker room.
“Just being around Mark and the energy, passion and fun he brings,” Gilpin said. “He was the same way in practice. His attitude was great. He never had a down day. He never had his head down or got discouraged, even through the adversity of his shoulder injury. … He’s just a joy to be around.”