THIS IS BILLY’S YEAR TO BE A SABRE FOOTBALL PLAYER

All levels of sports require hard work and a commitment to succeed.  High School football is no different, it requires months of physical training on top of a grinding 4 month season of practice and games.  Anyone taking on the responsibility of becoming a high school football player must be ready for the level of commitment expected by high school coaches.

Eighteen year old South Mecklenburg High School senior Billy Ellswood decided he wanted to become a football player for his senior year.  This would be no easy task for Billy as he has a learning disability and has never played football before in his life.   Last season Billy joined Coach James Martin’s football team in midseason as a team manager.  Billy instantly took a liking to Coach Martin and the football team and in return, they took a liking to Billy.  As Coach Martin says, “Billy is always smiling and it keeps us all happy to see that.”

After working for a couple of months as a trainer, Billy headed to the state semifinal game versus Fayetteville 71st on the road.   The Sabres lost that game and Billy, along with the rest of the team were very upset about the loss.  They had come so close to playing for a state title and now it was all over.  Billy told the coaching staff after the loss that he wanted to play next year and that the team would be better.

Soon after Coach Martin and his staff talked to Billy and his parents, Bill and Jane Ellswood, about the level of commitment and what it would take for Billy to be a member of the South Meck Football Team.  Billy accepted the challenge and to date has only missed 2 of the workouts since January.

“Billy has worked very hard for this opportunity,” said Coach Derek Fewell, one of Billy’s teachers in the EC Department.  “We talked to him about all aspects of being a team member and he has met every challenge we put in front of him.  Billy always gives us 100%, he tries to the best of his ability and that’s all we can ask for out of anyone.”

“We admire his work and we wish all the players would give the same amount of effort that Billy does,” added Coach Martin.  “He refuses to let anyone stand in his way of doing something and we all admire Billy for that.”

Now that official football practice has started, Billy is on the field everyday with his teammates.  Standing 6’1” and weighing close to 200 pounds, Billy has been assigned to play the Defensive End position and wear jersey number 58.  While all of the Sabres have taken Billy under their wings, a few of the players have provided extra support for him.

“Brack (Barnes), Michael (Watnee) and Josh (Bruch) have all helped me learn how to tackle,” said Billy.  “I want to go sack the quarterback now!”

Coach Martin spoke for his entire staff on what this means for South Meck and for Billy.

“This season will create a lifelong memory for Billy.  He will always remember being a South Meck football player.  His parents are very excited and all the young men on this football team are as well.  Hopefully Billy’s determination will inspire others to work hard and reach for their dreams.  We are all proud of Billy Elswood and the spirit he brings to our program.”

Before we wrapped up our interview, I asked Billy what he wanted me to tell everyone.

“Tell them I am proud to be a SABRE!”

The South Charlotte Sports Report salutes Billy Elswood and the entire South Mecklenburg Football Program for working to present this opportunity.  Billy has stepped up the challenge and we hope that he can reach the backfield and make that quarterback sack he is always talking about.”