"Stop Made By Will Bearden."

I have been waiting all season long to hear those words over the loudspeakers at a stadium. In the fourth quarter of the last game of the season last night, I finally heard it.

My excitement boiled over when I saw #32 enter the game. But the clock only had 12 seconds left and dwindling in the 3rd quarter. There wasn't time for a play! The horn sounded. Teams switched fields. My little #32 was still in. "Go Will!" we heard his dad yell over everything else. He lined up in his newly appointed position, Defensive End. The first defensive play saw him beat his offensive lineman and he wrapped up the quarterback. Unfortunately, the ball had only just left his hands. Incomplete. On the next play, #32 engaged his offensive lineman. The ball carrier was shooting through the hole and #32 disengaged and got a hand on the ball runner, taking him down in the process. "Stop Made By Will Bearden," echoed over the loudspeaker. The next play #32 found himself on the ground, under a lineman. Fourth down, he was overpowered by the lineman and on the ground again.

No matter! He returned to the sidelines amidst a roar of "Go Will!" from friends and teammates. There is no doubt in my mind now that we will see Will on the turf for JV, albeit the sidelines, for his sophomore year.

88.25% | 174.15 lbs. (167.0 lbs.) | 16% (8 of 50) | 80.64% (298 of 365) | 102/55 lbs.