On Wednesday, a signing ceremony was held at Warren Gym for 10 Brownwood Lion and Lady Lion seniors who will continue their athletic and academic careers collegiately.
Playing just one year in Brownwood, Isaac Gray still made a lasting impact on the Lions football program that earned him the right to extend his playing career at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.
“It was the most fun I’ve ever had by far,” Gray said of his experience as a Lion. “Brownwood is different in a special way. Ever since I moved here, hitting the weight room with those guys every day and getting to know them, I’ve made best friends that I’ll have the rest of my life. I had fun with them and we had a collective goal together as a team. I came in and didn’t really know anybody, and they voted me team captain and we’re all so close now, it’s really cool.”
Regarding his decision to attend Harding, Gray said, “The culture and the God first mentality of the team blew me away. It really felt like home, and the coaching staff is so genuine.”
Gray earned District 2-4A Division I Lineman of the Year honors at left tackle, helping anchor an offensive front that paved the way for 40 points and 386 yards – 229 on the ground and 157 through the air – per outing, including two games of at least 60 points.
Lions offensive coordinator Dex Dennard said of Gray, “What makes Isaac special is his relentless effort on every play. It was good for our offensive line and the rest of our team to see Isaac, who is not necessary the biggest kid or the strongest player on our offensive line, but he was definitely our best player on the offensive line and the reason he was is because of that relentless effort. He puts his best effort into everything he does – he leads a Bible study every Wednesday morning, he’s relentless in his academics and the way he studies. Through that effort he earned the respect of his teammates. It’s hard to come into a new place in January and be voted team captain by August, but he did that. He’s a great player and a better human being.”
As for the chance to play college football, Gray said, “It’s been a dream of mine my whole life. Seeing it actually come true, going back to my junior year I wasn’t getting a lot of looks, so seeing how it ended up I feel very proud.”
