Central Methodist football’s informal “accountability arrangement” was supposed to deal with players showing up late to practice. Then, it ended with a teammate receiving medical treatment, six players suspended indefinitely, two of whom were arrested.
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According to available court records, the Howard County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Central Methodist’s Michael Treyvion Hourel Jr., 22, and Kamrrion J. Ferguson, 20, with assault, ABC 17 reported. Both players have been suspended indefinitely by CMU and are facing severe charges of Class E felony third-degree assault, per Corey Hogue Sports, following a serious injury to another CMU player. Both were booked into the Howard County Jail on Monday.
The incident happened on Friday on campus. Fayette police were sent to the campus of the private university at 2:01 p.m. on Oct. 9 after an assault was reported. According to the probable-cause statements, players involved in the arrangement had agreed that anyone arriving late to practice or a walkthrough would have to fight a teammate. CMU has described the arrangement as informal and limited to a small group of players.
According to his statement to Fayette police, the victim arrived late to practice and entered the locker room expecting to fight another player under the alleged arrangement. He had specified the use of “body shots” only, to which Hourel disagreed. The latter then hit the injured player in the face, and other players also joined in, including Ferguson. The victim reportedly said he had chosen another teammate to fight, but Hourel intervened and took his place. He also told officers that he fought back in self-defense.
In his defense, Hourel told police he was a captain and felt defensive players were getting away with showing up late to practices and walkthroughs. He said he had called a meeting and the players involved agreed that anyone who broke the rule would have to fight a teammate. No available accounts, though, establish how many players participated in that agreement.
He also said he took over the fight himself because he did not think a fight with the teammate the victim had picked would teach him a lesson. Hourel reportedly admitted to hitting the victim in the face with open hands as well.
The injuries seem to be serious. The victim went to an urgent care facility in Columbia the next day, with medical personnel referring him to a concussion specialist because of concerns about a possible brain bleed. The age of this player is unknown.
Central Methodist University has since released a statement in a social media post:
“The safety and well-being of this student is our highest priority. This behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with our United Methodist heritage and a campus culture grounded in respect and care for others. Identified participants in the incident have been suspended from the football program indefinitely.
“Based on what we currently know, this was an informal ‘accountability’ arrangement among a small group of players, rather than an official team rule. The investigation will establish how it originated and who knew about it.”
The university confirmed the six-player total to ABC 17 on Wednesday afternoon, after earlier saying only the two charged players had been suspended. The other four have not been named. As of now, there are no updates on the investigation. And CMU has said it will limit further comment while the investigation is ongoing.
Hourel Jr. is a senior linebacker, while Ferguson is a junior defensive back from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The former had come to CMU after a stint with Emporia State football in Kansas.
Emporia State, too, indefinitely suspended Hourel following his July 2024 arrest, when he was 19, in connection with an alleged break-in at an apartment complex in Emporia, Kansas. He was charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, and other counts, and a preliminary hearing was set for July 25 in Lyon County District Court.
Hogue reported that Hourel entered a two-year diversion agreement in October 2024 in the Kansas case. The agreement allows for dismissal of the case upon successful completion of its terms, subject to the agreement’s conditions.
Hourel Jr. is a native of Alabama and attended Andalusia High. He attended Highland Community College fresh out of school, before the above-mentioned collegiate stints. While he was at Highland, he earned first-team All-Jayhawk Conference and second-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American honors.
Hourel Jr. was also a decorated player, having been named to 1st Team Heart of America South Division for racking up 114 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for loss, a sack, 2 interceptions, and 4 PBUs in the 2025 season for the Eagles. He also secured a second-team AP NAIA All-American.
The Fayette Advertiser reported the victim is scheduled for concussion tests and is currently at home, per President Dr. Roger Drake. The player will attend classes online for now.
The incident has raised questions about oversight within the football program. CMU President Roger Drake did not believe head coach Dave Brown knew about the arrangement, per the Advertiser. Central Methodist football head coach Dave Brown has not commented on the matter. Drake further described the incident as one of the “darkest days” of his 13-year presidency, according to the newspaper.
Both players were arraigned at the Howard County Courthouse at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. For now, Treyvion Hourel Jr. remains behind bars, with a cash-only bond of $10,000. Judge Mason Gebhardt denied his request to change it, and a bond review is set for 9 a.m. on Oct. 22.
Ferguson’s bond was lowered to $5,000, along with a 10% cash or surety bond. He has since been released. His preliminary court date is set for 9 a.m. on Oct. 27.