Pulling flags, chasing memories

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As Carrie Jones stood on the home sideline in Hewitt-Trussville Stadium, she saw one of those innocent smiles that often reminds her that she can’t ask for anything more.

The exceptional education teacher of 21 years witnessed something she’s seen countless times over her career at Hewitt-Trussville High School: “Success, joy and pride” beaming from the face of one of her students. In this particular case, it was Tyler Ball, smirking as he strolled back to the huddle.

Ball had just cut through the mid-November breeze for a 6-yard touchdown rush off right tackle. That short trip put the Huskies in front of Lawrence County, 12-0, and eventually served as the difference maker in a 12-6 winner-moves-on contest.

What led Jones to that moment? For an answer, she has to go back to college.

“It was just a God-led path for me. He just kept steering my path in that direction,” said Jones. “I didn’t even go to college originally with that [education] degree in mind. I went with an English major in mind.”

As a result of her calling, Jones has found a new outlook on life.

“They just have a love for life that is an exuberance I’m very envious of. They love everything and they’re willing to try new things,” said Jones of her students with special needs.

Ball, along with his 14 teammates, will play a Unified Flag Football game in a Southeastern Conference stadium for the second time in as many years. In the first such sporting event in state history, Jones’ Huskies faced off against Lawrence County prior to the 2014 Super 7 high school football championships in Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.

These games were scheduled after the Alabama High School Athletics Association and Special Olympics Alabama teamed up and brought the event together.

“It was just an amazing experience. We loved every minute of it and we’re so thankful to Special Olympics Alabama for making it possible because without them, we wouldn’t be able to do any of these events,” said Jones.

“For the most part, it was a once in a lifetime chance for these kids to go into a big SEC stadium,” said Hewitt-Trussville High School physical education teacher Tim Meacham, who serves as the on-field coach for the team.

Thanks in part to Ball’s 6-yard run on Nov. 12, Hewitt-Trussville will advance on to play Lee County at the 2015 Super 7 in Bryant-Denny Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama.

Jones’ team is made up of many of her life skills academy students along with six “typical” students that are listed on the team roster as peer partners.

“As far as our peers, we have an amazing group of kids at Hewitt-Trussville High School who love our [special needs] students and want to participate with them in their different endeavors,” said Jones.

The school chose the following peer partners out of roughly 50 student applicants: Will Lesley, Myles Dawson, Tyler Tolbert, Keegan Morrow, Jonah Renda and Madison Blank.

Nine athletes round out the rest of the roster: Katie Lowery, Joseph Garrett, Tim Tankersly, Keith Bain, Sacchi Patel, Olivia White, Tyler Ball, Garrett Byram and Andrew White.

For Dawson, a senior at Hewitt-Trussville High School, it’s all about building relationships with his teammates beyond the playing field.

“I was chosen to be a peer partner and since then, I’ve loved it,” said Dawson. “I sit with them at lunch and introduce them to my friends. I just try to build that relationship.”

As Dawson sat in the breezy grandstands leading up to his team’s all-important win over Lawrence County, he remembered a humbling moment. The hours he spends as a peer partner went into focus.

“It’s been a really humbling experience. One of the athletes’ mom came to me and said ‘My son talks about you all the time at dinner,’” said Dawson. “It’s just about that connection that you make.”

Flag football is what people will see in Bryant-Denny Stadium when the life skills academy takes the field. What they won’t see is the subtle moments that make it special.

“Playing flag football is a part that comes with it, but what really matters to me is making a lasting impression, treating them like they’re anybody else and sharing that relationship and bond,” said Dawson.

The final outcome is undetermined, but when Jones and her team exit Bryant-Denny Stadium, they won’t be looking at the scoreboard. They’ll be too busy making memories.

“When I go home at night and lay my head down, I know that I did something [that might be] small, but will last forever,” said Dawson.