PAXTON FILLMAN-FT GIBSON
Whether it’s kicking field goals and extra points for the Fort Gibson Tiger football team or kicking the ball on the soccer pitch, Tiger sophomore Paxton Fillman gets the job done.
“Paxton can play anywhere on the field but plays primarily attacking or defending midfield,” said Tiger soccer coach Zac Cobler. “He’s what you would call a utility player for us because he can play anywhere on the pitch but also understands how to play anywhere on the pitch.”
Like most soccer players, Paxton got his start at a very young age.
“I watched my brother Eli at practices when he was playing and ever since I could walk, I was kicking a ball around and started playing when I was about four. I played in the rec leagues around Fort Gibson growing up and then moved on to play on competitive teams in Tulsa. There’s a lot of talented players in competitive soccer and I think playing in that environment really pushed me to be the best that I could be,” said Paxton who also played basketball growing up until he got to high school.
Last year the Tigers started the season losing their first four games then rattled off 12 straight wins that sent them to the state semifinals, and it was in that playoff run that Paxton had the best memory of his freshman year.
“For me the highlight of last year was in the second round of the playoffs against Christian Heritage. It was just a very intense game all the way and we ended up winning in overtime. This year I’m working on improving my dribbling and defending in one-on-one situations. I want to be as consistent as I can be so my coaches and teammates know what I’m capable of and that they can rely on me. I think we have a good chance of taking state this year because we have most of our players back and we know each other well, so we play together as a unit. I think player-for-player we have an advantage over other teams.”
Paxton says he enjoys spending time with his family in his spare time.
“I just want to let them know how much I appreciate what they have done for me,” said Fillman who is a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter at school as well as being in the Excel Club and the Native American Student Association.
