Boomer Lovins
Catoosa High School
Leadership is a key factor in Boomer Lovins’ life.
“I would say I was raised to be a leader,” the Catoosa High School senior edge rusher said.
Lovins, the second youngest of eight siblings, was raised an Oklahoma Sooners fan. His father had him hooked on OU football videos from a young age and often used them to demonstrate to Boomer how to lead his teammates on the football field.
“Growing up it was always my big brothers on one team and me and my sisters on the other,” Lovins said. “Not fair. I think that relates to big games or big moments, ‘cause the matchup looks uneven, but I’m going all in on myself. I love uneven matchups and a nice upset.”
Last year, Lovins suffered a late injury against Oologah.
“It was homecoming, probably a minute left, huge fourth down with them [Oologah] backed up to their own end zone,” Lovins recounted, “[I] rushed past the tackle and he held onto my arm, and it ripped my arm out of the socket and tore my labrum. I got to the quarterback and everything, just didn’t have my right arm.”
Lovins had the opportunity to exhibit leadership in that moment, and he seized it.
“Someone has to be a leader, be the example,” Lovins said. “A great leader creates more leaders, and our team has improved all across the roster from us stepping up. . . If I can still play, I’m going to play, and I went on to have my best season yet.”
Lovins played the Indians’ six remaining games with a torn labrum. He underwent surgery a month after the season ended.
“It was a long road to recovery, but I feel stronger than before I tore it,” Lovins said.
At the beginning of this summer, Lovins set a goal for himself. The 6-foot-3 end wanted to gain 30 pounds before his senior year. He labored in the weight room and the kitchen through May, June, and July.
“My goal was 225,” Lovins said. “I’m about 215 right now.”
Lovins is confident Catoosa supporters will see the effects of his improvements on the field this fall. Catoosa’s season kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sep. 6 at Pryor.
“My goal for the season is to have the best season yet and help my team to the playoffs,” Lovins said. “I think the weight is going to show when I make contact with someone. It’s definitely going to make my blocking much more effective. I’ll be harder to bring down and much harder for an O-Lineman to move me.”
After high school, Lovins plans to continue playing the game as long as possible.
“I want to play Power 5 football one day and play in the pros,” Lovins said.
