Ben Fulton Signs to Play for Howard Payne University

Canyon Lake High School Quarterback Benjamin Fulton (#12) rushes for a touchdown against the Taylor Ducks.                  (mjrphotog.com)

Ben Fulton made his decision this week and signed with Howard Payne University to continue his studies and football playing for his college career.

“We are losing a 3 year starter that made the playoffs all 3 years and he was a leader along with our offensive line,” Head Coach Charley Drum said proudly. “He took control of tempo and he had a love for the game….and we are proud of him but we are sad that he will not have anymore eligibility.”

               Go Ben Fulton!!

Fulton finished 3 years of being the signal caller for Canyon Lake and during his time, the Hawks improved each year with their record and advancement in the playoffs.

Starting his Sophomore year the Hawks were able to make the playoffs as the 4th seed and quickly lost their first post-season contest to the eventual State Champion, La Vega.

                            Last 3 Years
                  Record    Pts Scored    Total Offense   Comp  Att  Yds  TD  Int
 2015 Sophomore    4-7        251            3260 yards    25   68   430   5   3
 2016 Junior       7-4        418            4716 yards    39   71   876   9   4
 2017 Senior      10-3        454            5274 yards    45   90  1012  13   2

Improvement each year and winning a district championship and reaching a 10 win plateau was the result for a team that had Senior Leadership across the board.

Ben Fulton signs with Howard Payne for his next stop.

The ReSporter remembers the first playoff game against Gatesville this season and having Fulton throwing 2 interceptions. That was the first interceptions for the year and CL’s defense would not allow a Gatesville TD on the 1st or 2nd interception.

But on that 2nd interception, the Hornets would return that play for a Touch-down except there was a penalty on the return.

Fulton was running to the sideline for a chance of tackling the return player but was hit in the back and that would draw the flag and keep the score and lead for the Hawks.

What was ‘funny’ about that play was Fulton knowing he would not be able to make it to the sideline in time for a tackle. Then his football IQ would be elevated as this young man slowed down just enough to draw contact from the Hornet player in pursuit and a flag for a block in the back. Which resulted in nullifying the TD and kept the Hawk lead.

Doing the little things that kept the score 28-21 and a 10 point swing as CL would hold Gatesville on that drive and then score with a field goal for an eventual 10 point win in the 4th quarter, 31-21.

Now Fulton will take that IQ to college and work in the classroom and football field to keep playing a game he loves.

Division III schools are tough for players and you have to love the game to continue to play when a scholarship is not in the cards.

“I love the game to much and I could not live life without it,” Fulton said in response why he wanted to continue playing.

“I had some D-II offers and did not like the fit,” Fulton continued. “I talked with my Dad and others and felt that HPU felt like home, they will be rebuilding and they have been through some struggles but that is how I started here (Canyon Lake) and I feel in the next couple of years something will be there.”

Fulton will start out playing as a QB but knows that might not be his final resting place as he played his Freshman year in the defensive backfield and then was moved up as a QB for his Sophomore season.

A team player would be the phrase for Fulton and he will do what he can to achieve success on the field and classroom. “They run the spread,” Fulton said. That might cause a different position to be asked for a team player.

“We beat a State Ranked Boerne when no one thought we would this year, then we went to the 3rd round after winning district which proved to be the best year for Canyon Lake.”

Fulton will be studying Social Studies at Howard Payne as he has aspirations of being a Coach after college life.

“I want to be a Coach,” Fulton barked out like he was calling for a snap for the next play.

When asked by the audience for a speech, Fulton said, “Three Gold Balls!!!”

That phrase represented the team’s accomplishments on the field and now Fulton will take those same traits to his next phase at Howard Payne.

Go Hawks and Go Fulton!!!