Sports

BYHS Football Team Working to Build Community Relationships

The team and prospective players have been working hard at practices, conditioning, or skill drills, but they have also been highly visible in the community over the past several weeks, showing up to celebrate and support others.

Photo by Shannon Moretz / The BYHS Football team has been showing up a lot in recent weeks in support of others. Players are pictured above at the May 8 Special Olympics, not long after they ran alongside several of the athletes, cheering and shouting encouragement as they made their way around the track.

When Bartlett Yancey's new football coach, Ryan Johnson, began less than two months ago, he said that he plans to rebuild the county's football program on a foundation of "Heart, Pride, and Discipline."

Since that time, he has demonstrated what that looks like, and there is a lot more to it than daily workouts or practices.

Coach Johnson has said that he considers it part of his job to connect with others in the community to ensure the right people are in place, working together to provide that strong community support all students need.

He hopes to show his players that when they show up and support their community, their community will show up and support them.

Photos by Shannon Moretz / BYHS Football players served breakfast to the mothers, grandmothers, and other maternal figures in their lives on May 9. They also each stood and voiced their appreciation for those women. Pictured above left, Tamel Hollway, Joann Holloway, Cordelia Jones, Trenton Holloway. Kim Thaxton, and Isaiah Faulkner. Pictured above right, Gavin Ramirez, Courtney Hoskins, Jamie Wilson, and Alex Wilson.

How to demonstrate gratitude and affection at a May 9 Mother's Day Breakfast
How to show up to celebrate and support others at the May 8 Special Olympics
How to volunteer your skills and labor to support community efforts at the April 24 Spring Fling Carnival at North Elementary School

"I've been hired as a football coach, but it's about a lot more than football," Johnson said back in April. "One of my coaches once told me, you play football, but that's not who you are."

Coach Johnson said yes, he is here to build a strong football program, but he is also here to help shape strong, successful young adults.

While asking his team to pour into the community, Coach Johnson pours into the team by providing opportunities such as attendance to Elon University's May 2 Spring Football Game, an April 28 visit from Coach Chris Barnette, Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for North Carolina Central University football, and a May 12 visit from Earl Harrelson, Offensive Analyst and On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator for Winston-Salem State University football.

Photo by Shannon Moretz / Coach Ryan Johnson is pictured above with Coach Justin Shumaker and Justin Shumaker, Jr.

Your Help is Needed

Coach Johnson is joined this season by Coach Rickey Blackstock and Coach Justin Shumaker. Holly Boggs is serving as Booster Club President.

They all agree that it requires a collective, community effort to build a successful high school football program but are confident Caswell County will answer the call to work together to support the program.

Coach Johnson invites former BYHS football players to join THIS Facebook Group and said he looks forward to working with others in the community to develop not only a strong football program but also "men of honor, men of valor."

To connect with the team, please reach out to Coach Johnson via email at ryan.johnson@caswell.k12.nc.us.