On the football field and off, Tyler Watson will be in his comfort zone next week.
Aside from being a ball-hawking presence during practices leading up to the upcoming IFCA North/South All-Star Game, the former Center Grove cornerback looks forward to other aspects of the five-day experience.
A mid-week visit to Camp Riley is at the top of Watson’s list.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Camp Riley, located in Martinsville, is for children with physical disabilities and medical conditions. Every year since 1992, players and coaches from the North and South All-Star teams designate one evening of being with the campers.
Games are played, songs are sung and friendships are made.
And, yes, tears are shed.
“I’m excited to play one more high school football game,” Watson said. “Obviously, you want to win, but I’m looking forward to the camp aspect, too. I love getting to serve people and put a smile on kids’ faces.
“Sometimes we get in our own little bubble, so it’s eye-opening to see and care about other people.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Watson had a gloved hand in over a quarter of the pass breakups the Trojans’ defense accounted for last season.
He finished his senior season with 54 tackles and 14 deflections, and is one of two Johnson County players selected to play for the South squad. The other is Greenwood defensive tackle Nick Young.
All-Star players and coaches report to the University of Indianapolis on July 9 for the first day of practice.
The game is July 13 at North Central High School in Indianapolis.
“The All-Stars is definitely a good mix of everything,” Watson said. “Representing my school and reaching that milestone is something you work for your entire football career.”
Watson carried a 4.1 grade-point average at Center Grove. He will attend Taylor University where he’ll major in pre-med biology while playing football for the Spartans, an NAIA program.
Two of Watson’s classmates, offensive lineman Justin Tolle and defensive end Brad Boswell, plan to play at Taylor. Their former Center Grove teammate, sophomore linebacker Sam Bolin, is also part of the Spartans program.
“My coaching has been really good,” said Watson, a starter on the Class 6A state runner-up squad his junior season. “A lot of it was being a second-year starter because you’ve been through more games than a lot of the other guys on the field.
“I always understood what was happening in circumstances.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
If you go
What: IFCA North/South All-Star Football Game
When: July 13, 7:30 p.m.
Where: North Central H.S.
Local players: Nick Young, DT, Greenwood; Tyler Watson, DB, Center Grove.
Last year: North defeated South, 21-14
Series: South leads, 27-24
[sc:pullout-text-end]
