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by Andrew Havranek (for Ozarks Sports Zone)
Hours before kickoff, high school senior Matthew Payne gets to Bob Shore Stadium in Camdenton to make sure everything is in place for his team.
“Today, I got here at 2:30 because I was right out of school. Sometimes I get here at 4:30 after I’ve eaten,” Payne says as he gets equipment ready for the team’s game against Lebanon.
“I will unload the trucks of the coaches who bring down the equipment. As you can see we have our waterboy, our coolers full of ice, and our hose. If I get here a little late and the stuff is already out, what I’ll do is I’ll make sure everything’s ready, I’ll fill up the ice coolers – because those are never filled up unless I’m here,” Payne said.
Aside from setting everything up, Payne is in charge of sideline control for the players.
“Sometimes, the guys will be right here on the purple line. That’s fine. That’s where we want them, on the edge of their seats, following the rules. But if they step out like on this the white, if the refs see it, they could give us a warning. Three warnings on that and that gives us yard reductions,” Payne said.
Which is definitely not something you want, especially playing your rival, Lebanon, from just a few miles down Highway 5.
Payne has been around the team, and has been manager for the last four years, after being home schooled his whole life. He says his teammates always tell him he’s raised the bar for managers.
“Because, apparently, I’ve increased the standard for doing this job,” Payne said humbly.
Payne, however is a senior and will be graduating next spring. Luckily for the Camdenton Lakers, he’s already training his potential replacement.
His replacement is his brother, who is just a freshman.
“He said the best experience is just doing it. So he has me doing a lot of stuff so I get better,” said Ben Payne.
While it may not be the most glamorous job, it’s one the Payne brothers feel is one of the most important.
“This position itself is important. You need every player you can on the team to be out there playing football, especially tonight,” Payne said. “I’m going to greatly miss this.”
