By MARK MOLINA | The Brownsville Herald
The 2018 edition of the Hanna Golden Eagles football team was a dynamic one on the offensive side of the ball, as it was filled with different players who could run, pass, catch and score.
Though, there was one who could do all those things and more.
That player was senior Miguel Payan, who was a top target in the passing game, an option to run, the team’s placekicker and even starting quarterback on a couple of occasions throughout the season.
Payan’s do-it-all game contributed to a historic 10-2 season for the Golden Eagles, which is why he has been named The Brownsville Herald’s 2018 Football All-Purpose Player of the Year.
“It’s an honor (to receive this award) because not just anyone who can play all those positions,” Payan said. “I just work hard to do what I do and I listen to the coaches. I like playing all around. It’s not easy to play those positions, so to be able to play all of them makes me really pleased with what I did this year.”
Hanna coach Mark Guess saw Payan’s success as a kicker and as a quarterback at the subvarsity level, and even on the defense, where he played cornerback and safety through last season.
But coming into this season, the secondary grew to be one of the Golden Eagles’ strengths, and more playmakers were needed on offense.
With his competitiveness and athleticism, Guess said Payan was an obvious choice.
“He loved the challenge of having someone trying to beat him and him getting that stop,” Guess said. “Coming into this year we knew we were going to lose receivers, and since he has great hands, we would put him on the offensive side of the ball. We felt we were pretty solid in the secondary, and we really needed that help on offense. We put him there, and from the first game he just started making play after play after play.”
Payan did most of his damage at receiver, where he was an All-District 32-6A first-team selection after hauling in 25 passes for 509 yards and seven touchdowns. But he recorded stats in several different categories on offense and defense.
The Hanna senior also rushed for 117 yards. As a placekicker, Payan was 31 for 33 in extra points, went 3 for 6 in field goals and recorded 12 touchbacks on kickoffs. Payan also recorded five tackles, caused a fumble and led the team in scoring with 84 total points.
The senior even made starts at quarterback against Sharyland High for a half and against Harlingen South for the entire game.
At first, it felt like a daunting task for Payan, but he knew he needed to do it for the team.
“Against Sharyland, I was pretty nervous because I had just practiced at receiver,” he said. “It turned out that it was my turn to be the quarterback and I had to step up for the team, but I was nervous; my nails were gone.”
Payan was a serviceable option under center as the running game held down the fort, but he managed to throw for 75 yards and one score under center.
Still, Guess said Payan’s presence was enough to keep defenses honest.
“He was a great decoy out there and when he was out there, someone was going to have to cover him,” Guess said. “Just him being the well-rounded athlete that he is makes our job easier. He’s a very quick learner, and he was able to learn his offensive plays very quick. He’s also just a great kid.”