There will be one more game for Emporia State University sixthyear senior quarterback Braden Gleason and true freshman receiver Trenden Collins, both former Muldrow Bulldogs, to play with each other. That will be Saturday’s high noon Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl game against Southern Nazarene University in Corsicana, Texas.

“I’m very excited. It’s another opportunity to get to go play one more game,” Gleason said. “It’s been a great team I’ve been with for six years (including a redshirt year and getting the extra year due to the COVID pandemic). I’ve been through a lot of things with those guys, so it definitely means a lot to get to go play one more (game) with them. I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m really excited,” Collins said. “It’s going to be a long drive down there, but I’m still going to be pumped up to play. Hopefully, I’ll get my shot.”

Collins just wants to make Gleason’s final game as an Emporia State Hornet one for the ages.

“My plan has been to do what I can to help Braden get his last win,” Collins said. “It just blows my mind how well he works under pressure.”

Collins also said this freshman season has been fun, due in part to getting to play with Gleason.

“It’s been really fun,” he said. “I’ve gotten to experience what my brother (Tyren) did in high school and play with Braden.”

This season has been the first for the tandem of Gleason and Collins to play together, but it wasn’t the first time Gleason has played with a Collins.

“I played with his older brother, Tyren Collins,” said Gleason, who is one of 38 student-athletes from across the nation as a candidate for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year. “His older brother was in my grade. I think (Trenden Collins) was still in middle school when I was a senior. It definitely means a lot. He came in right away and has done great things for our offense. For him to make the impact he has as a true freshman — and to be from Muldrow — and come from a good family and people I’ve grown up with for a long time, it definitely means a lot.”

Collins said his older brother Tyren hasn’t really had the time to give him any kind of advice about playing with Gleason.

“He just told me to run fast, but other than that he hasn’t given me any other advice,” Collins said. “He plays basketball at John Brown University, so I really don’t get a chance to talk to him much.”

Collins was named to the first team All-MIAA Conference, which was an unexpected pleasure for the ESU senior QB.

“That’s definitely an honor, making first team MIAA,” said Gleason, who was named one of 51 ESU student-athletes to have been named an Earl W. Sauder Athletic Scholar. “It’s something that I’ve definitely have worked towards. It wasn’t an individual goal of mine, but it’s something I’ve worked towards. I just try to be the best quarterback I can be.”

This season, Gleason has thrown for 3,773 yards and 41 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 212 yards and three more TDs. In his career, with Saturday’s bowl game looming, Gleason has passed for 7,720 yards and 79 touchdowns and rushed for 672 yards and 10 more TDs. The former Muldrow Bulldog credits his teammates for making it all possible.

“I’ve got a lot of great guys around me,” Gleason said. “I have a really good offensive line that protects me and keeps me upright. I’ve got a lot of receivers who make plays. Sometimes, it’s just all about trusting those guys and letting them make plays and do their things more than anything else.”

Collins has caught 34 passes so far this season for 323 yards and five touchdowns. He said it’s been a lot of fun getting to play football at the next level.

“It’s been fun,” the former Muldrow Bulldog and FSU freshman receiver said. “I’ve been working with Braden as much as possible. I’ve been learning all the new plays and routes, and just being able to be coached by our coaches — who have been great.”

Collins credits his freshman success this season to the coaching staff.

“I credit it all to my coaches,” Collins said. “They’ve critiqued my game to where I can run the right route and have me execute properly. It (my success) is all because of them.”

Gleason is wanting to win Saturday afternoon’s bowl game to end things on a high note.

“It definitely would mean a lot to get a win,” Gleason said. “It would end my career with a win, and I’d be going out the right way with another ring on our fingers. It would definitely mean a lot to come away with a win.”

The one certainty for Gleason is where his future lies — football. The only question is in what way. His top choice is to be a coach, but there is always that small opportunity to make it to the National Football League.

“If that (NFL) opportunity presents itself, I will definitely try to

chase it,” Gleason said. “If it doesn’t, I’m all right with that. I’m going to go into coaching football. I’m just kind of playing it by ear right now.”

Either way, Gleason will be doing something that’s meant so much to him his entire life.

“This sport means everything to me,” he said. “Growing up as a coach’s kid, your dad (Johnny Gleason) is coaching high school football, you’re always around it. You’re the ball boy for his high school team. You’re very involved in how the team was doing. I’ve grown up with football my whole life. It definitely means a lot to me. It’s definitely the best sport you could ever play.”

As for Collins, he hopes this year’s freshman campaign will springboard him to bigger and better things next year — and for years to come.

“This game could definitely put my name in the books for other teams, and what they’re scouting on as an Emporia State Hornet,” Collins said. “What I’m really trying to get out of this is more experience. I want to see how I do against different defenses and competition.”

••• Corsicana is located along Interstate 45 approximately 55 miles south of Dallas.