Hardin-Simmons tight end Christian Marshall (88), quarterback Kyle Brown (12) and wide receiver Kris Simms (7) all came to the Cowboys after having started their career at Division II West Texas A&M. Photo for Hardin-Simmons athletics by Tom Sooter, Texpix.com

By Joe Sager
D3sports.com

As seniors, Kris Sims and Christian Marshall envisioned they’d spend their fall Saturdays catching passes from Kyle Brown.

They just didn’t think it’d take place at Hardin-Simmons University.

After enjoying strong high school careers, the three first crossed paths at West Texas A&M, where they played football for the Buffs in NCAA Division II.

“Christian and I were roommates at West Texas. Kris lived two doors down from us,” Brown said. “That’s how we all met.”

The three remained close for the couple years they were in the program. However, all three decided to transfer to Hardin-Simmons after the 2023 season, but it wasn’t necessarily a coordinated effort.

“We were pretty much best friends at WT,” Brown said. “I transferred here first. I hit up Kris about coming here, too. We found out Christian was coming here also, which was great.”

“It’s very special to be together. A lot of our experiences at WT were the same. It’s really special to be together here,” Sims added. “Kyle wasn’t sure if he’d play football after leaving WT. But, he hit me up and his dad, I call him Toddy Boy, really told me to get my butt to Hardin-Simmons. Then, Christian came, too. We got the band back together. It’s been a blessing, that’s for sure.

“It’s not only these guys, but I think what’s so special about Hardin-Simmons is that everyone is so welcoming and I had a lot of friends come here already. (Running back) Noah Garcia went to WT my freshman year before he transferred, so I already kind of knew him. But, having those friendships already when coming to this special place definitely helps.”

The trio played key roles for the Cowboys last fall. Brown took over starting quarterback duties, while Sims finished as the team’s second-leading receiver. Marshall was a receiver and a special teams standout. He blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown.

This fall, the three continue to have a huge impact for Hardin-Simmons. Brown is under center and Sims and Marshall, who moved to tight end, are two of his top targets.

“We had some good guys graduate last year, but I think we have a lot of great talent on this team,” Marshall said. “It’s real special anytime you can go to a place and have what I consider my best friends there and we have the chance to do what we love to do.”

The move to tight end has been a productive one for the 6-3, 225-pound Marshall.

“It was something I joked around with our incoming freshmen. I said I had one too many cheeseburgers and now they put me at tight end,” he said with a laugh. “Anything I can do to help the team, I will do. I think I can handle my own staying inside, blocking those guys, but can get downfield, too.”

The three players have helped fuel an offense that averages 45.5 points and 484 yards – 301.5 through the air – per game.

“We have a lot of talent on offense,” Brown said. “We’re lucky to return a lot of players from last year and be able to build from last year and over the summer. We’re going out there and executing.”

The team found a groove in last week’s 69-14 triumph over Howard Payne to open American Southwest Conference play. The Cowboys collected 708 yards on offense – Brown passed for a career-best 351 alone – in the victory. Sims had eight catches for 50 yards, while Marshall had one catch for 41. Seven players reached the end zone.

“I think, especially this past week, we took a big step. It kind of felt likes last year’s team,” Sims said. “I think we’re improving at the right moment. We’re 1-0 in the conference and looking forward to doing that this week as well.”

“I think it’s been a real blessing for those guys to be able to stick together and be in a place where they are perfect fits – literally – on and off the field,” Cowboys coach Jesse Burleson said. “This group has taken strides each and every week, but I think we still have a whole lot more to go. All three of those guys have been factors in allowing us to take those positive steps forward, though.”

While they are close on the field, they remain close off it. They are roommates, too.

“It’s super fun. We mess around with each other – it’s all jokes,” Sims said. “There’s never a dull moment.”

“There’s always something going on around here,” Marshall added. “We just got a dog, so there’s even more chaos.”

This week, the No. 9 Cowboys (4-0) face a familiar foe in No. 22 Mary Hardin-Baylor. Last year, Hardin-Simmons beat the Crusaders twice in the regular season en route to the ASC title, but dropped a 17-13 decision to the same squad in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.

“We’re definitely looking forward to this one,” Brown said. “This one has been circled on our calendars for most of us with how it went down last year.”

The three seniors want to make this season count even more.

“We’re just living in the moment. We’re taking in all that we can and enjoying being able to do this with everyone we have right now,” Marshall said. “It’s a blast having these guys around me and getting out there and playing the game we love. It’s not just those two guys, but all the guys who welcomed us with open arms. It’s a just a special place here.”