DIV 3

For Bates football, 6-year-old Brayden Austin is Captain Courageous

Back in August during a preseason football practice at Garcelon Field, the coaches announced that it was time for “up downs.” On the whistle, everyone gets down on the ground and then jumps back up, over and over until the drill is complete.

For head coach Malik Hall, the exercise is a metaphor, a life lesson that extends beyond physical fitness. All you have to do is keep getting back up — whether it’s after a tackle on the football field or when facing adversity in life.

Fast-forward to a recent practice before the team’s first game. Running onto the field comes 6-year-old Brayden Austin. Hall introduces him to the team as someone who has had a lot of ups and downs in life — someone who gets up every single day and keeps on fighting.