Arlington, Nov. 25, 2023.
Coppell running back O’Marion Mbakwe watches as the ball spirals to the back of the endzone. Then there was cheering, but for the first time that season, not for Coppell.
For the seniors, it was one last game, but for Mbakwe, it was motivation. A chance to become better, to learn from his mentors.
“Every time I am on that field, I give my all,” said Mbakwe, now a senior for the 6-0 District 5-6A leaders. “It can be frustrating at times, having to split reps with two other backs, but I have to do what is best for the team by learning from the senior running backs.”
With a devastating loss in the Class 6A Division II Region I semifinals last November against Byron Nelson at Choctaw Stadium, Coppell looked forward to the next season. For that however, they had to struggle in the offseason.
For Mbakwe, it was a chance to show the coaches that his spot was valuable – that he was the guy for the job.
“I know that I am the next guy up after Xavier Mosely,” Mbakwe said. “I looked at myself as the next guy, the next running back to step up and be that aspect of the team.”
Being a tough, solid running back with 600-plus total yards midway through the season, Mbakwe did not always have his mind set on football.
When he was 8, Mbakwe had no idea what football was until his brother, O’Neil Mbakwe, started playing at Coppell High School. Not only was he the most influential part of the whole process, but he was the one that made it happen according to O’Marion.
“Football found me,” Mbakwe said. “It was really my brother who started to instill a passion in me for football as I started watching his games and playing in the backyard with him.”
It was not just the physical aspect of playing football, but the challenges and setbacks in between that O’Neil, class of 2014, helped with.
“He is my rock, my day one,” O’Marion said. “He is the one that helps my mind. Whenever I am feeling down, he always finds a way to bring me back up by just allowing me to be that person, that player I want to be.”
O’Neil was not only in high school when O’Marion was in elementary school, but also a starter on varsity with a lot to prove. He remembered how hard he had to work and shared the same experiences with O’Marion to ensure that he continues to preform at a high level.
“I remember thinking I had the position just because I was starting, but later on, someone else was performing better than me and they got the position instead of me,” O’Neil said. “My message to O’Marion was just because you have a position does not mean the position is yours.”
For O’Marion, building his mindset, reading books with his brother, playing in the backyard and spending time during injuries talking to his brother was the reason why he was able to accomplish so much.
“When you are going through injuries, it can get very overwhelming and I start having thoughts such as ‘Do I know if I am gonna make it? Am I going to keep going?’” O’Marion said. “I have my family by my side, being that third voice in my head telling me to keep pushing and that this is just adversity, and they never fail to remind me that God is just testing me and that I can not fail any test that is thrown my way.”
With a ninth and 10th grade riddled by injuries and no varsity playing time, O’Marion was starting to feel frustrated. Desiring a chance to play in the “big leagues,” he recovered through the injuries, running track in the offseason and lifting weights to curate his body into a fine tuned machine.
“He shows up every day ready and willing to work,” Coppell coach Antonio Wiley said. “His work ethic is unmatched because he is disciplined and keeps himself in check.”
His work ethic is not the only thing helping him excel, but it is his altruistic mindset that allows the team maximum opportunities for success.
“He does not care whether he gets 25 touches or two,” Wiley said. ”It is his truly selfless attitude and commitment to the team that allows us to win.”
Finally being the featured running back this season, O’Marion’s high school campaign has finally picked up collegiate attention, to which O’Marion credits his coaches, parents, siblings and especially O’Neil who continues to support his brother.
“He has overcome so much,” O’Neil said. “Friday nights people see him having all these big plays, but Monday through Thursday, they do not see the work that O’Marion puts in, not just in football, but in school as a brother, as a son and even at work. He is doing a lot for him to be in the position that he is in where he is producing.”
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