High School Sports

Seemingly glancing at an old photo, Telvin Fryman recalls watching the Henderson Lions during his younger years. At age 9, he was given the chance to cheer for his favorite team from a close distance.

"I grew up going to the games, and playing down on the sideline when I was nine a couple of times," Fryman said. "I used to love it, because I had a close look at the field."

Nowadays, Fryman's the one Lion cubs are flocking to see on Friday nights. And entering his senior year, he wants to put on a show.

In doing so, Fryman has made several goals for himself and his team. On an individual level, he wants to rush for more than 2,000 yards, score about 15 touchdowns and eliminate all fumbles "because you are supposed to have none," he said. On the team level, he wants to end a four-year playoff drought.

All seem to be reachable goals.

As a junior, Fryman (5-8, 170) rushed 192 times for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. He was later named first-team all-district and honorable mention All-East Texas.

Meanwhile, the Lions finished the season 4-6 overall and 2-5 in district. Such an outcome was brutal for Fryman, because the Lions began district 2-0 and then went on a five-game slide. During the slide, they fell to Whitehouse and Marshall -- playoff teams -- by a combined six points before the bottom dropped out with two games remaining.

"I feel like we have a chance," Fryman said of reaching the playoffs. "We were almost (in the playoffs) last year. We just had some teams we couldn't beat. We were there."

In what ways did Fryman absorb the losses?

"It made me feel kind of sick. (I was) just grinding my teeth, thinking 'Why did we take this loss?' I really don't show it until I go home. I just sit there with the lights out and think."

Fryman has given thought to becoming a great running back, too. He believes a key -- for him, at least -- is to view the position through the eyes of a defender.

"(I sometimes play) outside linebacker," Fryman said. "I love it; I'm aggressive. If I didn't play defense, how would I be good at running back? I wouldn't be able to take no hits. If there really aren't holes there, I can squeeze through.

"When you are on defense, you are coming to the running backs. You can see the moves he makes, and I make the same moves. I see the defenders coming at me. I can time where they are going to go. I can move quick."

Henderson's Telvin Fryman has some lofty goals for 2008.
(Staff Photo By Shane Stark)