Article by Greg Jaklewicz
Photo caption: Former Wylie High football players, from left), Jaxon Lunsford, Aiden Kincaid and Larry Smith-Bell are on the 2025 roster for the nationally ranked Hardin-Simmons Cowboys.
From High School Teammates to College Players
What could be better for a high school football player than continuing to play at the collegiate level? How about doing that with your high school teammates.
That’s the situation right now at Hardin-Simmons University.
Wylie High School has been a pipeline of talent for HSU, which has one of the most consistently competitive programs in NCAA Division III.
According to Chad Grubbs, associate athletic director for external relations, 16 Wylie grads have signed on with Jesse Burleson since he succeeded Jimmie Keeling as head coach in 2011. He has a 107-34 record, thanks in part to recruiting some of the best West Texas players. He doesn’t have to look far when it comes to Wylie.
Bulldogs Turned Cowboys
Three currently are on the team. And not just wearing a uniform.
Jaxon Lunsford, a senior two-year letterwinner, is a starting tackle. He started 10 games at right tackle last fall.
Aiden Kincaid, also a senior two-year letterman, is a wide receiver and captains special teams. He recovered a late onside kick to seal a win against Endicott in 2024.
Larry Smith-Bell, a sophomore letterman, plays on the defensive line, utilizing his track speed that he showed off at Wylie. He played in three games as a freshman and had a fumble recovery.
For the Bulldogs, Lunsford was the center, snapping the ball to Kincaid. They attended school together from pre-kindergarten, they said.
“In first grade, me and him won a little football toss. And here we are playing college football together,” Kincaid said.
Jaxon Lunsford (2020)
Coach’s Perspective
Wylie head coach Clay Martin said it’s always a thrill to have a player move on to the next level. An HSU alum, he particularly enjoys seeing Bulldogs become Cowboys. His sons, Gatlin and Garrett, rode that trail. They were wide receivers and captains.
“It’s always a special time in the spring when we have signing days,” Martin said. “You’re always proud of those guys and they’re happy to be pursuing what they want to do.”
When the signing is local, it means Martin and others can see them play in college.
Upcoming Games
Hardin-Simmons, ranked No. 6 nationally, opened the season with a win at Chapman, California, and is host to crosstown rival McMurry on Saturday evening.
It’s homecoming weekend at Wylie. The Bulldogs take on Lubbock Coronado at 7 p.m. Friday at Hugh Sandifer Stadium.
Kincaid, Lunsford and Smith-Bell talked football, especially their Wylie roots, ahead of this weekend’s action.
Impact of Bulldogs Football
Lunsford:
“I think about family. A lot of those people I grew up with. We got to play the greatest game on the planet together. When I think of Wylie football, I think of something life-changing. I had great coaches, coach (Michael) Elliott and coach (Tim) Maskill. They are some of the most influential men in my life. They 100 percent shaped me into who I am.”
Kincaid:
“I think about the legacy. They’ve been a great program for a lot of years. Coach Sandifer was an amazing coach. My dad (Chris Kincaid, now coaching at Merkel) got to play for him and coach with him. All the great players who have come through there, like Case Keenum and Clay Johnson, who have gone on to play the higher levels. Knowing where we came from, I love it.”
Smith-Bell:
“I had some great memories over there. After a win, we’d have some fun in the locker room and celebrate. Coach Martin really got us right over there.”
Aiden Kincaid (2021)
Biggest Challenge for a Bulldogs Football Player
Lunsford:
“The consistency. We had to be the same, no matter what. Especially as an offensive lineman. You couldn’t really have any days off. And it’s a full-time job. You have a game Friday, then you wake up Saturday and you get a lift in. Sunday we go to church and then we have football starting all over again. So, just accepting the grind... Nothing good comes easy. That’s the motto we live by here.”
Kincaid:
“Going to school for seven hours a day and then coming out to play football, being the same person on the field that you are in classes. Being consistent to your teachers and your classmates. Leading the school because all the eyes are on the football guys. With me and Lunsford being captains, there was more pressure to let everyone know what Wylie football was all about.”
Smith-Bell:
“For me it was time management. For me, I’d have trouble studying for chemistry and then having to study plays to do some blitzes. That was the hardest part for me. One thing I’d recommend is getting a calendar and marking everything.”
Larry Smith-Bell (2023)
Was College Football Always the Goal?
Lunsford:
“I think that’s every kid that grows up playing football... Stop overthinking if I was good enough and realizing that I can do only what I can do and control the controllables.”
Kincaid:
“I didn’t think it was a talent problem but I didn’t want to play college football once I finished... I called Coach Burleson back and I was shaking and so scared saying I messed up and if he had a spot for me I’d greatly appreciate it. He said ‘Come on.’ Thank goodness for that because I don’t know where I’d be without him allowing me to come back. God allowed that.”
Smith-Bell:
“In high school, I didn’t think I was good enough to play at the college level. I was hoping to get a scholarship through track... Ever since then, I’ve been an HSU football player all the way.”
Best Piece of Coaching Advice
Lunsford:
“Whatever is good is not going to come easy. Control the controllables... Accepting coaching and listening to people who are wiser than me because they’ve been around the sun more than me.”
Kincaid:
“It takes what it takes. It’s as simple as it sounds. It takes hard work, it takes determination, it takes never giving up to play at the college level... Dig deep.”
Smith-Bell:
“Hooyah here. It means that whenever crap hits the fan, you still have to get after it because life is going hit you that way.”
Still Keep Up with Wylie Football?
Lunsford:
“I definitely keep up with all my teammates and they’re still some of my best friends on this planet... My mom (Amy) was cheering on Wylie football when she was seven months pregnant with me in 2004, when they went to state.”
Kincaid:
“I remember playing travel baseball with all the guys I ended up playing football with... Clay Martin’s a really, really good coach and he’s going to do what’s right for the team.”
Smith-Bell:
“Some (former teammates) have taken different career paths... My brother is about to go into his freshman year.”
How Will This Football Experience Shape You?
Lunsford:
“This football stuff has taught me some of the most valuable lessons I have learned and ever will learn... Everything with football translates to life.”
Kincaid:
“Like what Lunnie said, what Coach B and these coaches do for us. Football is great... What these coaches do for us is invaluable.”
Smith-Bell:
“It has taught me how to work with other people. In track, I was a self-sufficient man but joining the collegiate football experience at HSU it’s all about team. One man can’t make every single play.”
Bulldogs Who Became Cowboys
Since 2011, 16 Wylie High football players have played for Hardin-Simmons:
Duncan Alexander, TE
Grayson Bearden, K
Brice Cantrell, DE
Jazhir George, WR
Gavin Gezorskie, C
*Cameron Hanna, LB
*Cason Hanna, LB
Bailey Hicks, RB
*Blake Johnston, S
*Aden Kincaid
*Jaxon Lunsford
*Garrett Martin, WR
*Gatlin Martin, WR
*Jaxson Money, WR
Larry Smith-Bell
Stellon Wright, LB
(*Team captain)