Editor’s note: This is a regular feature profiling senior athletes at Bryant High School.
Austin Vail
NAME: Austin Vail
PARENTS: Marc and Tracey Vail
SIBLINGS: I have an older sister, Dylan, in college and I have two younger brothers, Cameron and Dax. They’re both in eighth grade.
FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL: Math
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I work a lot and when I’m not doing that, I hang out with friends.
FAVORITE FOOD: I just love Chick-fil-A. I work at Chick-fil-A, anything from there.
FAVORITE MUSIC ARTIST OR GROUP: Luke Bryan
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Patriot
FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Big Bang Theory
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A KID? A football
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL? I’m going to U of A and probably law school after that.
OTHER THAN YOUR PARENTS, WHO HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR LIFE? Coach (Paul) Calley, definitely; he’s just like another father figure. I feel like he’s instilled a lot of things in me that I’ll carry on throughout life.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT FOOTBALL? The guys, just being with all your friends and messing around, just having fun.
POSITION: Receiver
WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE IS YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY ON THE FIELD? This year, just being the leader, the guy that’s consistent, always there, keeping intact and keeping everybody where they need to be.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE SEASON SO FAR? I think the season’s been good. Obviously we’ve had some ups and downs but I think we’ve definitely got the best personnel this year in place to win. We just need to get everybody clicking on the same page.
WHEN THE TEAM’S PLAYING WELL, WHAT’S THE KEY TO THAT? I guess not fighting each other. I mean, things are going to go wrong. You’ve got to stay positive and stay kicking because things are going to go wrong. Don’t turn on each other.
WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON SO FAR? You know, I didn’t get to play in the Salt Bowl but I definitely think that game was probably the most memorable, being a captain and the celebration after the game. Even though I didn’t play, it was still a big point.
WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THE TEAM TO BE SUCCESSFUL THE REST OF THE SEASON? The offense has got to get going on all cylinders. We’ve got to everything clicking. If we get in a groove, I think the defense is doing real good, so it’s up to the offense.
INDIVIDUALLY, WHAT ABOUT YOUR GAME ARE YOU MOST CONFIDENT ABOUT? Blocking; I’m a consistent blocker. I’m not obviously the biggest playmaker but I do stay consistent and catch balls when I need to.
WHAT DO YOU WORK HARDEST TO IMPROVE? I have to improve everything but, definitely, technique blocking-wise and, like anything Coach (Lance) Parker comes up with, running routes and that sort of thing.
AFTER YOU’RE THROUGH PLAYING FOOTBALL AT BHS, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST FONDLY ABOUT IT? I think I’ll remember the coaches and the lessons they’ve taught me and also the friends are going to last a lifetime.
