Hunter: Teammates become frenemies

By DAVID HUNTER

Two Lions senior football players, Austin Brock and Bo Bryson, have each signed college football scholarships during the past week. Brock is heading to Bethel and Bryson is going to Cumberland. Next October, these two longtime teammates will turn into frenemies since both teams play in the same NAIA Mid-South Conference.

"It will be different, because we have been teammates for so long," Bryson said. "It will be weird seeing him in a different jersey across the field."

Brock added, "I agree, growing up with him playing since we were little, it will definitely be different seeing him across the field."

Brock will be joining a Wildcat team, which finished 4-7 in 2015 under head coach Chris Elliott. Bethel University is located three hours away in McKenzie, and it last made the playoffs in Elliott's first season at the helm back in 2012.

Last season, Brock missed some time because of a broken leg, while playing defensive back and running back. However, he always knew even with the injuries in 2015, he would get a shot at college football.

"I did, because I felt I put the work in during the past four years, just to get here, I felt I could go somewhere," Brock said.

He will study Criminal Justice, while at Bethel since he enjoys studying law enforcement.

As for Bryson, he is becoming a Phoenix since the university just switched nicknames from Bulldogs. Cumberland is located in Lebanon, and it is led by head coach Donnie Suber. Last season, CU went 3-8, and it has been a few years since the program last made the NAIA playoffs.

"It is exciting, and it is something I have looked forward to," Bryson said. "It is what I worked toward to my entire life right now, and it means a lot."

Bryson has not decided on a major yet, but he added it is between Criminal Justice and Business Administration.

Both of them are excited about the future, especially achieving a dream of playing on the next level, but they will miss being a Lion.

"Just the people, I have met, my friends," Brock said. "I am going to miss a lot just not getting to see my friends as much being three hours away."

Bryson added, "I am going to miss the team comradely and being with the guys. I have been with these guys since I was little. It will be different meeting new people."