From watching the reoccurring football games every Sunday with her dad, to being approached at Hollenbeck Middle School by one of the North coaches, junior Lyric Williams is now the head Varsity Football manager and has been their official manager since the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year. Williams is no stranger to managing high school football because she also managed the C-team her freshman year, and helped out with varsity in her sophomore year.  

“Actually, next year is the last year FHN will have football managers because Coach Beville said it’s just too much responsibility and he doesn’t really need them anymore, so I’m glad I got to soak up every moment of the whole experience,” Williams said.

Apart from the football games every Sunday evening, Williams also got her motivation from her father. Even though he did not play college ball, he played high school football at Francis Howell High. Coming from that exposure back in the day, her dad now knows players on the NFL team Indianapolis Colts, and they too also played a role in Williams wanting to become a football manager.

“They just make me feel good because of the energy and hype that they bring,” Williams said. “Even though I can’t physically play with the boys, being a manager is the closest way of me being on the field,” 

The varsity football team is very much known to treat their members like family. Williams loves all the boys as if they were her brothers and doesn’t fail to show it.

“At the end of the day, I have their back and they have mine. They treat me like their sister and have a lot of respect for me. They also come to me for advice most of the time whether it be football related or non-football related,” Williams said.

Even though Williams is the head manager for the team, she does not act alone. By her side all the time on the field is sophomore Alexa Pierson. They too have also grown fond of each other and are closer now, more than ever, because of the role they play on the team.

“Lyric really goes out of her way for the boys. Like for example, if it’s a far away game she’ll bring them good snacks, which the boys love. She always does their hair when they ask, makes sure they always have cold water and that it’s always full, and just overall makes sure they’re taken care of. I couldn’t ask for a better manager or friend,” Pierson said.

Williams will be graduating early this year with the class of 2020. 

“What I’ve learnt is that being in this position is not easy and it does come with some stress, but don’t get me wrong being the manager for those boys is the best decision I have ever made. It has helped me decide what I want to do with my career and how I want to go about my life. Those boys and those coaches are my family for life and I’m glad I got to spend my high school career with them,” Williams said.