Sophomore Byron Spraggins avoids hits from CSHS defenders as he runs for a touchdown in the final game of the junior varsity football season. The game resulted in a 22-16 win for CCHS. “No matter what, don’t go down. I had to get into the endzone no matter what,” Spraggins said.
By SAM HOOD – Sports Editor
On Thurs., Oct. 16, sophomore Byron Spraggins played in the final junior varsity game of the season against cross-town rival Cedar Shoals High School at Billy Henderson Stadium after being cleared from a concussion.
For the first time and the last time this season, Byron Spraggins was finally able to take the field.
The sophomore missed a combined 11 junior varsity and varsity football games due to a concussion prior to the start of the season.
“It was just great to see Byron play the way he is capable of playing because for so long you have been seeing him in a green (non-contact) jersey,” head junior varsity coach Erik Kriebel said.
When Spraggins was cleared by his doctors to play, Kriebel asked Spraggins to play in the final JV game of the season against cross-town rival Cedar Shoals High School.
“His doctors have done a great job to make sure that he did not come back until he was 100 percent ready,” Kriebel said. “When you come back before that, bad things can happen.”
Going into the game, Spraggins was unsure about how he would perform after not playing a single game this season.
“I was kind of nervous. I haven’t worked out in about two months. I was just trying to come out and play for my team and give it all I got,” Spraggins said.
Spraggins played linebacker on defense and ran for a touchdown and a two-point conversion to lead the Gladiators to a 22-16 win against Cedar Shoals High School.
“I was glad to be back and do it for my team, especially against Cedar Shoals.”
Even though Spraggins was allowed to play in the junior varsity game against Cedar Shoals, he was also promoted to a starting linebacker position on the varsity team before his concussion. Spraggins says that he does not know if he will start, but he will be there to cheer on his teammates as they take on Gainesville High School on Fri., Oct. 17 at Bobby Gruhn Stadium.
“I was a starting linebacker before I got hurt. Right now, I don’t know if I am in the starting spot so I might just dress out. If my number gets called, I will be ready to go. If not, I’m there with my team supporting them,” Spraggins said.
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