Friday, September 18, 2009

The Huddle Story of the Week: Florida High School Player Gives Us All a Lesson in Determination

by Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


It's been a crazy week around the Jeff and Trish household. We've been handling the media campaign for the house that is for sale next-door to President Obama's residence in Chicago. I've lost count on the number of stories that have been done on this one-of-a-kind house, but let's just say, we've handled requests from all around the world.

It's the house on the right, by the way. The Obamas is on the left.

The media feeding frenzy, which includes everything from The New York Times to CNBC to TMZ, has definitely held down my work here at The Huddle, but don't worry we're all geared-up for a full Friday night, which will include the first-ever game under the lights at Oak Park River Forest High School in Chicago.

It's almost as big as the other Chicago institution, Wrigley Field, getting lights. Oak Park River Forest has been playing daylight football for home games since 1891.

Now it's time to go on to what I think is one of the best stories of the year in high school football so far, and in the end, it may be THE TOP story. It definitely goes way beyond our 15-minutes of fame with the Obama neighbors' house for sale story!

It comes from Jacksonville, Florida's Eagle View Academy.

It centers on freshman defensive lineman David Penton, who should serve as a role model for those that like to complain. David, you see, has been living without legs for almost his entire life after they were amputated, according to the First Coast News story, due to a birth defect when he was just one year old.

Enjoy!!

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