Corsicana —
Devontay Bell has been on the sideline in a coaches’ hat with a boot on his foot. He’s been there to encourage his teammates, to do everything he can to be a part of the Tigers.
It’s all he can do right now.
Out for the season with an ACL injury, the Tigers’ most explosive offensive weapon and team leader can only watch now. He’s suffered through a 1-5 start with his teammates — Bell started at quarterback in three games, including starting the game the Tigers won.
He is encouraged by the Tigers progress, even after Friday’s 63-14 loss to No. 3 John Tyler.
“We’re playing good but we haven’t got on a full paced track yet,” Bell said. “We will make the playoffs and make a run.”
The hardest part is not playing, Bell said.
It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, even though Tyler came in with a state ranking and as the district favorite. When the schedule came out, this was one everyone had circled.
Not for Bell, who just misses the game and his teammates and coaches.
“It was just like any other game but I do wish I was on the field,” Bell said.
Bell said he’s encouraged by the effort he sees in every game. He believes in his teammates and coaches.
He said so Monday in a text exchange.
“I have all the faith in the world for my boys man,” Bell said. “And we have great coaches.”
Bell sent that last quote by text, emphasizing “GREAT” in all caps. Fans may question the onside kicks and two-point conversions, but not Bell.
He’s a believer in Tigers coach Phil Castles and his staff.
Bell’s faith in his teammates and coaches is why he’s so darn easy to miss — well that and seeing at least eight Division I players on the field for Tyler on Friday night.
I asked him about the performance of the new starting quarterback, Zach Rash, who has throw long touchdown passes in the last two games.
“He’s playing great,” Bell said. “He is playing like he has been a starting his whole life. I’m proud of him.”
Bell hopes to have surgery this week and begin his rehab journey. It will take tireless work to get back to where he was. But he can do it.
The college recruiters haven’t stopped calling and texting. Bell said he hears from Texas and Texas Tech the most.
Bell is still among the Top 50 recruits in Texas for the 2014 recruiting class. He was recently profiled by Rivals.com.
He is ready to begin the road back to playing again.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” he said.
—————
Want to “sound off” to this article? E-mail: Soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
Sports editor Todd Wills can be reached at
twills@corsicanadailysun.com
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Wills: Keeping the faith
Bell: ‘I have all the faith in the world for my boys ...’
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