Since the moment he signed to play football at McNeese State, Kamden Sixkiller has been considered the future of the program.

With good size at 6-foot-4, 203 pounds, a rifle arm, and a made-for-stardom nickname, Sixkiller quickly became the favorite of Cowboys fans who had never even seen him warm up.

Sixkiller became the symbol of hope to guide the Cowboys out of their darkest period and into a new light.

Head coach Gary Goff has said as much over the past two years while cautioning that it is going to take time and we all should enjoy the process.

Well, ready or not, the time has come.

And, like it or not, the coach’s future and the direction of the football program might be tied to his Sixkiller’s performance.

That hardly seems fair to put on the shoulders of a 19-year-old, who started last season fifth on the quarterback depth chart. But fair or not, that’s the fact as we get set for the final three games of the season.

College football makes kids grow up early these days.

Sixkiller officially became the starting quarterback Monday when Goff announced Clifton McDowell was out for the season with a hand injury. McDowell is the third consecutive quarterback Goff and his crew have brought in from the NCAA transfer portal with hopes of flipping the program.

None have worked out.

Strike one was Knox Kadum, who came from Virginia Tech but never a mark on the “Air Raid” offense in Goff’s first season.

Strike two, Nate Glantz. He spent a year at Iowa State after being the top junior college quarterback in the nation. Like Kadum, Glantz didn’t last as injury and lack of production became the norm.

Strike three becomes McDowell, who was injured first with an ankle and now a finger on his throwing hand.

Three strikes and you are out in baseball. In this case, three swings and misses lead to a new beginning ahead of schedule. You get the feeling Goff is looking to see how his young gun works out.

“You always hate to lose your starter but I feel we are in a good place with Six,” Goff said. “Six is the guy. I do think he is the future, I really do.”

Goff might be comfortable with Sixkiller because he came to McNeese the old-fashioned way — straight from high school. Goff considered him a guy who flew under the radar, a diamond in the rough he could help develop.

Can Sixkiller be the home run Goff and McNeese have been looking for and desperately need?

Sixkiller is no virgin to college football. He has played in 11 games over the last two seasons, starting five despite still being officially a redshirt freshman. His time on the field has been a lot of hit and miss as signs of growth have been mixed with moments of struggle.

Confident, Sixkiller will enter the huddle Saturday night against Texas A&M-Commerce with all eyes in Cowboy Stadium focused squarely on him.

“I’m excited and feel much more comfortable with each game,” Sixkiller said.

It does seem fitting for Saturday to be his 20th birthday as Sixkiller will leave his teenage years behind for good.

That’s perfect for a guy who is being asked to grow up in front of all of us.

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Jim Gazzolo is a freelance writer who covers McNeese State athletics for the American Press. Email him at jimgazzolo@yahoo.com