When Joey Johnson, former Magnolia West Mustang, took a recruiting trip to Abilene last year he knew he had found a home with the Hardin-Simmons University Cowboys.

“It’s a great tradition,” he said. “A lot of winning goes on here.”

It wasn’t just football that helped him make the decision, however.

“It’s a good Christian university,” Johnson said.

His father, Chris Patterson, explains that the moral compass of the university is a perfect fit for his son.

“He’s just a great kid,” Patterson said. “He was a youth leader at Magnolia First Baptist (Church).”

After back-to-back seasons ended with all-District honors for Johnson, including the Mustangs first-ever playoff berth, the NCAA Division-3 school came calling. Hardin-Simmons has a new coach for the first time in 21 years, as former coach Jimmie Keeling retired recently. The Cowboys search for a new coach didn’t have to go far as former player and assistant coach Jesse Burleson takes over the reigns in Abilene.

“Coach is great,” Johnson said. “He’s a good Christian man with great morals.”

Johnson, who plays a hybrid H-back/Tight End position, knows playing time will be sparse in the beginning, as the Cowboys return 16 starters and a bevy of upperclassmen. Johnson said that won’t keep him from working to earn a spot, however.

“(It all) depends on how hard I work,” Johnson said. “I’m just going to work on techniques and keep trying to get better.”

For Patterson it’s a moment of pride and joy.

“I was absolutely beside myself,” Patterson said. “He’s going to get an education and he gets to play football.”

The Cowboys, who are shooting for their 20th straight winning season, were 8-2 last season, narrowly missing the playoffs. They will host preseason No.10 Coe College on Sept. 3.

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