Dayven Cuba knows Abilene faces a new challenge this season after graduating a talented senior class, but the Cowboys’ senior leader is embracing the opportunity to help shape the next generation.
Rather than focusing on what was lost, Cuba is excited about what can be built.
“I’m very excited to see how our young guys will perform,” Cuba said. “We lost a great group of seniors, and we know we have to get this young group ready, and they are looking promising.”
Cuba, who earned All-North Central Kansas League honorable mention honors at defensive back after recording 92 tackles last season, enters his senior year as one of the Cowboys’ most experienced defensive leaders. With many new faces expected to contribute, he understands his responsibilities extend beyond making plays on Friday nights.
During the offseason, Cuba continued to sharpen his athleticism by spending much of his time on the wrestling mat, believing the sport provides benefits that carry over directly to football.
“In the summer I usually focus on my wrestling and work,” he said. “Wrestling helps me all around the board as an athlete and gets me prepared for football season.”
While Cuba expects to once again be a key contributor on defense, he believes his biggest improvement this year won’t necessarily show up on the stat sheet.
As one of the few juniors in the starting lineup last season, Cuba was surrounded by veteran seniors who naturally filled leadership roles. Now, he has become one of the players younger teammates look to for guidance.
“I think the area that I’ve personally been working on and am excited to display is my leadership,” Cuba said. “Last year I was a junior starting with all seniors with two other juniors. I didn’t have as much of a role with leadership then as I do now. It just comes down to leading my guys even when things don’t go right. Stuff isn’t going to always go our way, we know that, but it’s how we react to it that dictates everything else.”
Cuba also has personal goals on the field after narrowly missing a milestone in 2025. He finished with 92 tackles and has his sights set on reaching triple digits this fall.
“My personal goal is to hit 100 tackles,” he said. “On a loaded defense last year I fell just short of that mark, so I’m in search of it this time around.”
Still, Cuba measures success by more than statistics. As Abilene transitions into a younger roster, he hopes his greatest contribution will be preparing the Cowboys for sustained success beyond his final season.
“Team wise, honestly, it’s getting our guys better,” Cuba said. “We’re back to being young, so if I can pass the torch for our future success to a town that’s given me everything, I did my job.”
