The athletes run back and forth, ready for the ball. Nothing is getting past these players. Everyday each member prepares to give it their all. The only thing that matters in this moment is the end goal– winning.
Volleyball and football have begun their fall season for the 22′-23′ school year, with multiple standout players on each team.
“I’m excited about our team that we have and the unity,” head football coach Chris Cochran said. “Our guys have really come together [since] our first three to four weeks of football camp. So I’m excited about the tight knit unit that they are.”
Senior Christian King is one of the many outstanding students on the team. King began playing football at age 7 after watching the NFL and college football with his father.
“I wanted to be like those guys,” King said. “I can’t say for sure if I’m going to play college in football yet, but I’d say I’m still waiting and allowing God to show me which path I should take.”
King played for the Eagles his sophomore year starting all 16 games. Last year he was captain of the team and is ready for another season as a defensive lineman. His ‘job’ is to either stop a run play or to get to the quarterback before he can throw a pass play.
“What I enjoy most is most definitely my teammates and the relationships that you build through playing the game,” King said. “Because going through what we go through mentally and physically isn’t an easy task but we’re always doing it together.”
Outside of football, King focuses on his academics and is taking four AP classes. King hopes to attend SFA next fall. He plans to major in aerospace science and fly planes for airlines.
“He is just an outstanding young man honestly,” Cochran said. “He is extremely smart and takes the classroom seriously. He has some really good leadership capabilities and he cares a whole lot about his teammates.”
On the courts, senior Brooke Tweedell stands out as a leader on the team. Tweedell began to play volleyball in 7th grade after watching her older sister who also played.
“I just like having teammates that I know I can always count on,” Tweedell said. “I like the feeling of working hard and working for something.”
Tweedel has played all four years at Lindale and is currently right side hitter for the team as well as a captain. Outside of volleyball, Tweedell participates in soccer as well as lifeguarding at the Hideaway pool. Tweedell and her teammates will move into volleyball playoffs at district on Sept. 9.
She has this contagious energy about her. [She is an] all-around great player. She’s consistent; she’s a great role model for our girls.
— Varsity coach Kamryn Pilkington
Tweedell plans to attend TJC after college through the TJC promise and hopes to continue playing soccer there. She plans to study to become an elementary teacher and continue to stay and teach in the Lindale area.
“I like being a light to kids,” Tweedell said. “[I want to] try to guide them in the right direction even when they are young because it starts when you are young.”
