Javan Bouton Q&A: First Scholarship, Senior Season Thoughts And More

A lot of good things have been happening for 2020 Prestonwood Christian Academy Guard Javan Bouton. He doesn’t want to sit still on his recent success.

This offseason, the six-foot-three, 290 pound, Plano, TX native worked diligently to get in football shape and improved his body composition, strength, eating habits and skill set.

“During my offseason preparation at Prestonwood, although I am in track and field, I put in extra lifting sessions on days we don’t have athletics. With our Strength and Conditioning Coach Trey O’Neal, I work on technique whenever possible with Shaun Smith a retired NFL player that works with young players in the area,” Bouton said.

The Prestonwood Christian Academy Lions finished the season 9-3 (2-2 TAPPS Division I District II) and lost in the quarterfinal round 24-21 to the Liberty Christian Warriors. A state championship winner as a sophomore, Bouton wants to leave Prestonwood Christian Academy with another championship ring.

“This season ended way too early so winning a championship would be like winning it for my 2019 guys.  Our team may be young, but so was I when I won in 2017.”

Javan Bouton picked up his first scholarship offer from Troy University in late March and plans to visit the school this summer.

“It is an amazing feeling going into the spring season to have received a Division I FBS scholarship from Troy University. Possibly a weight may be lifted, but I now feel that I have to work even harder to reward them for believing in me,” he said.

Dimoro Sports: What other schools have shown interest in you?

Bouton: “Prior to The Opening, Division I Coaches had visited me at Prestonwood, and I really respect them and appreciate their time. UNLV, Boston College, BYU, and UTSA. Coaches have mentioned that they will come to visit our spring practice because they saw my film. Wyoming,  UTEP, Arkansas State, the University of Louisiana-Monroe, Air Force and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.  It would benefit them because my teammate and fellow senior Riley Wilson was named the wide receiver MVP for the Dallas Region.”

Dimoro Sports: Describe your experience at The Opening in Dallas and what it was like to win OL MVP?

Bouton: “It was like an affirmation of all the hard work that I put in. I was competing against the best competitors in the region. Most of them I have met at other events, and to be selected as the MVP let me know that I am doing the right things. I have to work that much harder to keep up. The Opening was one of the best experiences I have had in competition to date.”

Dimoro Sports: Did you receive any good advice from coaches or fellow participants that stuck with you?

Bouton: “My middle school coach Marcus Price told me to always be coachable. I try to approach every practice that way. Duke Manyweather, a coach at the Opening and premier OL trainer to players in the NFL, told me to not rest on this and keep working on my technique to get better.”

Dimoro Sports: Do you think that experience will help your exposure and play on the field?

Bouton: “Yes, participating in The Opening has increased my exposure to college coaches. It also gave me the opportunity to prove myself against the best players in the region.”

Dimoro Sports: On and off the field, what kinds of moments do you want to enjoy a little more as a PCA Senior?

Bouton: “I want to enjoy my 2019 teammates that are still here. Several of them were members of that 2017 championship team and they are my friends for life. I will miss them. A couple of them have already gone to college to start school early. I want to enjoy my coaches. I will miss them and the process. Prestonwood has been very good to me. I know this year I will be in a leadership position and I am excited about that. The teachers of Prestonwood will be missed [as well]. They do everything they can to support us.”

Dimoro Sports: How do you plan to become a better leader this season?

Bouton: “I plan to be more vocal and lead by example. When the younger kids see me in the weight room putting in extra reps it will motivate them to do the same. You can lead with your demeanor. If I slack off the younger kids will, but when you train harder than everyone else it shows your teammates what needs to be done to be game ready. It’s hard and it’s not for everyone. Being part of a team means commitment and it takes heart. I have to show the younger guys through my actions what to do.”

Dimoro Sports: Prestonwood Christian Academy had the third-highest scoring offense (39.8 PPG) and 10^th best rushing attack (114.2 ypg) on just over five yards per carry. Who do you credit that to and what does the team need to do to improve upon those numbers?

Bouton:  “Our Offensive Coordinator Shannon Purcell has an extensive career having coached several notable players including Matthew Stafford. [He] worked well with former NFL player and current coach and mentor Mike Keith. We Have outstanding coaches that do the best job that they can to match the personnel for the play. To improve on these numbers we need everyone with a uniform to step up. We need people who are able to play scout team so we can run plays and get better each week. I did it and I am the player that I am because I did. We need to watch our own film so when practice and meetings start, we can get more done. The only way to improve is to study, acknowledge where you are and work to be the best.”