Haughton’s Bockhaus is noted for spills, thrills

Haughton’s Brennon Bockhaus enjoys being in the center of things – most of the time. He touches the ball on virtually every play for the Bucs, even before quarterback Cameron Townsend. 
That makes the massive senior center the focal point of coach Jason Brotherton’s team and the success the Bucs have already had this fall. But back when the current 6-foot-6, 250-pounder was quite a bit smaller, there was a time when he wasn’t so happy to be in the center of his uncle Jason’s attention.
Jason Brotherton had just purchased a slick new Pontiac Firebird – one of those manly vehicles that allows you to strut down the streets of Haughton with your head held high while drawing jealous glances from the others less fortunate. 
The coach decided to pick up his nephew and treat the 4-year-old to something cold, tasty and colorful from the local Sonic Drive-in -- major mistake, since the youngster was already big and strong for his age.
“He jabs the straw through the bottom of his cup, and drink is going everywhere in my new car,” Brotherton said. “I end up driving down the road holding the cup out the window. It’s funny now ... not so funny back then.”

Bockhaus remembers the drink being a red slushy.
“That was crazy,” Bockhaus said. “He didn’t know what to do, because he was afraid it was going to stain.” 
The vinyl seats in the Firebird came clean and the double Bs of Brotherton and Bockhaus have moved on to bigger and better things, although No. 58 still isn’t allowed to push his straws into drinks while riding in his uncle’s vehicle. He is allowed to pancake opposing defensive linemen with his usually superior size.

And he’s pretty good on the baseball diamond for Haughton where he plays first base or swings as a designated hitter. His favorite memory as a Buc came last year when the baseball team went to Barbe and knocked off the defending state champions.
“That was the best surprise we could have gotten,” Bockhaus said. “The whole night was a blur because they were supposed to win state. The bus was crazy coming home.”
The senior also enjoyed his football team defeating Byrd for the first time in 33 years just a couple weeks ago. 
“We had a really good week of practice leading up to that one,” Bockhaus said. “The game wasn’t easy but we came out on top by at least 20. We had our fall dance that evening, which really made for a fun night.”
Heavily involved in the Haughton scene, where he has lived his entire life, Bockhaus is a member of the Haughton Red Jackets, BETA Club, National Honor Society and was on the yearbook staff last year. He was selected for Louisiana Boys’ State but was unable to attend, and he’s involved with his youth group at First Baptist Bossier. He maintains a 4.19 GPA and has a 24 on the ACT, but hasn’t yet received offers about playing at the next level.
If he could have anyone, past or present, over for dinner he says it would be President Donald Trump, his great grandpa Marvin Bockhaus and his great grandmother Joan Weaver. 
If that trio were to make it for a meal, they’d likely get a thrill by seeing him do something few 6-foot-6ers can do. 
“Not many people know it, but I can do a back flip,” he said. “I did it once at football practice during my sophomore year. But I don’t do it very often.”
Now driving a white Ford F-150, Brotherton was able to move past his nephew staining his Firebird, which has long since been put to rest. But he might not find it as easy to move on if his starting center threw something out of whack in his back by performing a meaningless flip.
Twitter: @JimmyWatson6