From The Sidelines To The Spotlight

Since 2000, the glow of the Friday night lights have summoned the communities of Benton and Bryant to the football field for the Salt Bowl showdown. With each city vying for the champion title this year, four Bryant High School Seniors show their determination to their team as they bounce back after suffering season-ending injuries in 2014.

#79 COLE FRITSCHEN

Left Tackle

In September of his Junior year, Cole noticed a small red bump that formed on the front of his shin after he removed his knee braces following football practice.  After two weeks, his leg began to swell and the pain became intolerable. Cole tested positive for MRSA Staphylococcus, a bacterial infection that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Doctors performed three surgeries on Cole’s leg: two to remove the infection and one to cover his wound with a skin graph. Cole’s case was the first time his doctor needed to use a skin graph to repair the damage of a staph infection.

After 13 years of playing football, this was the first time Cole missed a season. Three months of surgery and recovery kept him from playing. “I told myself, just go with it, I knew I had another season to go,” said Cole.

Cole attributes his successful recovery to his parents. “My mom stayed with me in the hospital,” says Cole. “She’s helped me keep my leg clean and help me recover. My dad has done so much for me. He’s motivated me to not give up. Always finish what you start and to make a better life for yourself.”

Throughout this time, Cole has learned a lot about himself. “I’ve learned that anything can happen and to always clean your equipment,” he says.

#91 KAMERON GUILLORY

Defensive End

Tackled during the second kick off of the Bryant vs. McClellan game, Defensive End Kameron Guillory stepped one way and his body went the other. He heard the pop, felt the pain and knew immediately he had torn his ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in his knee.

As he hopped off the field, the athletic trainer examined his leg and confirmed his fear. He was out for the season. After reconstructive surgery and nine months of physical therapy, Kameron will be back with the Hornets this fall.

The road to recovery was a long one with months of exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee. Kameron wasn’t alone during his recovery. His Grandfather, Tyrone McGraw, encouraged him along the way.  As Kameron joined his team in April, his Grandfather passed away the same month from Prostate Cancer. Kameron recalls, “He told me to keep fighting never give up.” Kameron plans to keep those words in mind while he is on the field this fall.

Kameron has loved football since he was five years old and he’s ready for this season to begin. His goals this year are to play hard, be successful and be a team player. “I want to make good grades and work hard in class and stay motivated,” says Kameron. “Education before football.”

#44 DEVIN HOWARD

Middle Linebacker

Sitting out his freshman season due to a torn ACL, Devin Howard felt the familiar pain return during the Salt Bowl last season. “I knew exactly what it was. It feels like a gun shot going off in your knee,” says Devin.

This time, Devin tore three ligaments in his knee and injured his meniscus. Knowing what it takes to recover from this type of injury, Devin knew what to expect in order to push through.

“The first time I went through this experience, I had trouble, I felt like why me,” says Devin. “But the second time, it thought, there was no point in saying why me. I had a positive attitude towards it. I knew I would come back stronger.”

Throughout this process, “I really learned about perseverance,” says Devin. “It’s important to be grateful for the opportunity to be able to play. I used to just go out there, but now I’m grateful to go out there and play with my brothers. I’m thankful to be out there and play.”

Devin attributes his ability to bounce back to the love and support from his family and friends. “My family has always been supportive,” says Devin. People think I’m crazy for going back to football, but they don’t understand my love for the game.”

#7 JAELYN JONES

Defensive Back

Torquing his knee while making a tackle against Catholic High, Bryant Safety Jaelyn Jones tore his ACL and injured his inner and outer meniscus on his right knee. After a visit to the emergency room, Jaelyn had surgery to repair his knee and underwent rehabilitation for six months.

“Being out was a time that I had to do a lot of soul searching,” says Jaelyn. “I needed to think about what I wanted to do for my future.” His family and friends supported him through his recovery. His friend Devin Howard along with friends Devon and Drew Alte also helped to keep him motivated to get back on the field.

With a second chance at playing the game, Jaelyn understands the importance of being a team on and off the field. “The Salt Bowl game is important because it gives people pride in the community,” says Jaelyn. “The kids at Bryant Elementary say they want to be on the team–girls and boys. I want them to know that really anything is possible.”

As Jaelyn walks out onto the field this fall, he’ll remember what he has learned along the way. “It is important to stay humble and to not take anything for granted,” says Jaelyn. “I wish everyone could experience the way it feels to be on the field on Friday nights.”