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# Speedy recovery has Hickman looking to end strong for Souhegan football
- URL: https://www.nh-highschoolsports.com/speedy-recovery-has-hickman-looking-to-end-strong-for-souhegan-football/
- Published: 2024-08-24T12:00:07.000Z
- Updated: 2024-08-24T12:00:07.000Z
- Description: Brayden Hickman knew it was bad the moment it happened. The Souhegan High School football team was playing at Timberlane late last September, with the Sabers in front and driving for more points. Hickman, then a junior and the Sabers starting tight end, caught a pass in the flat, turned up field an
- Author: Joe Marchilena
- Tags: Division II, Brayden Hickman, NH High School Sports Insider, Sabers, slider, Souhegan, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-18 04:44

Brayden Hickman knew it was bad the moment it happened.

The Souhegan High School football team was playing at Timberlane late last September, with the Sabers in front and driving for more points.

Hickman, then a junior and the Sabers starting tight end, caught a pass in the flat, turned up field and picked up a few yards, but as he went toward the sideline, an awkward tackle ended his season.

"The kid grabbed me by the shoulders and twisted my upper body while my foot was planted," he said. "Right away, I felt a pop and a wave of pain. I knew something was wrong. I was hoping it wasn’t as bad as it was, but that wasn’t the case."

Hickman tore the ACL in his left knee, bringing to an end what had started as a promising season, and leaving a big hole for Souhegan on both sides of the ball.

"We had a lot of that game plan in the Timberlane game for Brayden, and when he went out, we were kind of scrambling a little bit," Souhegan coach Robin Bowkett said. "Defensively, he’s just a killer on the edge, whether he’s playing outside linebacker or defensive end.

"It all starts with his fanatical effort and physicality. And he was also our punter. He’s just a dynamic athlete who can do things as a big athlete. It was a huge loss for us."

While Souhegan tried to figure out how to replace Hickman, he got even worse news after the initial diagnosis.

"When the doctor first told me the timeline of nine months to a year, I was like ‘oh wow, that’s a long time,'" Hickman said. "I set the goal to myself, just trying to get back for some of high school baseball season."

Although the injury occurred in late September, surgery didn't happen until almost a month later, giving Hickman little time to get back for the high school baseball season. But instead of dwelling on the situation, he kept his focus on what was ahead.

"It took being focused on my overarching goal of being out there with my team and playing with them," Hickman said. "Not really thinking about the past and what happened, and what can happen, but just focusing on the moment."

On May 15, Hickman took the mound for Souhegan against Plymouth. The moment was one he won't ever forget.

"First time stepping on the mound, a lot of the parents around the field were standing and cheering," he said. "It felt kind of surreal, like a fever dream. It was an awesome moment."

It was a moment that Bowkett was glad Hickman got to experience, because it's something that doesn't happen often.

"For him to be able to do that, it’s unheard of," the coach said. "It was pretty awesome. It just shows his dedication to get back out on the field. When he got cleared to do (football) 7-on-7s, I was like ‘are you sure? Do I need to text your parents?’

"We’re just so glad (he’s back), because for a little while, he was unsure if he was going to be able to play football again. But he loves football, he loves his teammates, and he loves to be able to compete."

So far, through the summer and early preseason, Bowkett hasn't noticed a difference from before the injury.

"Aside from him wearing a sleeve on his knee, he’s still a dynamic athlete," Bowkett said. "It doesn’t look like he’s lost speed. When he came back for baseball, he was still throwing 87 (miles per hour). He hasn’t missed a step."

While Souhegan has a good number of seniors who will be on the field this season, the Sabers have a lot to replace from a year ago. Hickman felt good about what he saw from his teammates during the offseason, as some of them will be getting varsity experience for the first time.

"I’ve been pretty impressed with the team," he said. "Obviously, we have some big shoes to fill.

I want to be able to help the team win. I want a good record and to go out on a high note. For the team, we’ll take it one game at a time. Obviously, we want to win a championship but if we think too much about the future, we’re going to forget about the present."