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“ It’ s going to be a lot different,” Popp says.“ I’ ve relied on these guys for four years straight, so next year, I’ m starting all fresh again. It’ s going to be a tough one.”
Popp was a member of the inaugural Borden trap-shooting squad in 2018, when he made all-tournament. He has the knowledge to impart on the next generation, and though he didn’ t ask to coach the team, he began carrying the mantle after Borden athletic director Toby Cheatham gave him a call.
“ He kept pestering me about it,” Popp remembers.“ I was like,‘ Alright, I’ ll do it.’ And then I got these kiddos.”
Baker and Keithley say Popp helps them keep their focus when they get nervous or start to falter during competitions.
They say he told them,“ Simmer down, son,” among other things, to keep their heads clear.
“ I’ ve got a few examples,” Keithley says.“ I don’ t know that all of them can make the cut … There’ s two of them, that’ s the one we’ ll take.”
And though he doesn’ t say it in exact words, it’ s clear Popp will miss the boys.
“ These guys made it easy on me,” he says.
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JULY / AUG 2026 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 17