In a game pitting LaFayette Bulldogs against Horseshoe Bend Generals, the Bull dogs mauled the Generals with a humiliating 50-14 massacre. Horseshoe Bend player Matthew Wilson noticed that his teammates were so disappointed after the game that they bowed their heads in utter submission.
Wilson told them that they shouldn't feel down because it was a close game in the beginning before the Bulldogs turned it into a rout. Encouraging teammates even after going through difficulties and painful defeats, has earlier earned Wilson the Mission M Bronze award.
Wilson continues to inspire his teammates with his fighting spirit and optimistic attitude. On its way to the Class 2A playoffs, Horseshoe Bend had to beat Woodland 33- 8 to enter the semi-finals, a fitting finish to the Horse Bend's longest winning streak of the season.
With a standing of 6-3, Horseshoe Bend will be up against Fythe in its first fame in the Class 2A playoffs. Wilson encourages his team mates to overcome the competition in every game in the series.
Wilson said that they have to dominate against any opponent "even if he's 250 pounds, 6-feet-2 and you're 5-10 185". Wilson himself is only a 5'10, 185-pound player.
The M Awards that Wilson earned are given to honor high school athletes across the nation. The likes of Dwayne Wade, Serena Williams, Mia Hamm, David Villa, Reggie Bush and many others are involved in the selection process.
Given with the award is a grant for $1,000 dollars to be donated to a non-profit organization chosen by Wilson. The Alabama Branch of the International Dyslexia Association was his choice.
In Wilson's community in New Site, Tallapoosa County, Wilson plans to continue to work hard as a role model, encouraging his peers to compete despite difficult odds. He is not a super star athlete, but he is definitely an effective leader who encourages other athletes to strive hard to reach higher levels of play.
