For Bethel junior Hunter Shelley, the date of August 26 couldn’t come fast enough. That specific date is opening night of the high school football season, and for Shelley, it is a day he gets to see how all of his hard work has paid off.

Shelley is no secret around the Cross County Conference, as he was selected to the all-conference team last year as a lineman. But he has worked extremely hard heading into the upcoming season, and hopes it transcends into even a better year.

“One of the biggest things I am working to improve is my strength,” Shelley said. “I work on my strength my going to off-season workouts and working out with a few of my friends during the spring.”

“Another thing I am working to improve is my technique on offense, as an offensive lineman. I am listening to my coaches and applying the things they say and the things we practice all the time to help me get better.”

Shelley, who also plays baseball for the Bees, began playing both sports at a young age, and credits his family for his love of the game.

“I started playing football in 4th grade when I moved to Bethel, I decided to start playing football because I liked watching it on TV and seeing the big time players make big time plays,” he said. “I started playing baseball when I was really young. I don’t know what my motivation was to play baseball then, but now, I like going to baseball games and watch how fast the pitcher throws and see players hit home runs.”

“I would say my biggest influence now is my family. They always inspire me to keep pushing forward, even though sometimes the conditioning and workouts aren’t easy, to just suck it up and keep going.”

While he has enjoyed playing both sports, he has seen some rewards for his hard work on the gridiron, and he taking a liking to Friday nights.

“My favorite sport is football, the first highlight from my high school career would be getting second team all-league honors this past year, it will make me push myself even harder this year to try to get 1st all-league,” Shelley said. “Another highlight would be seeing my friends succeed past high school. We have had a few seniors graduate and play football at the next level and I like to see that because it just makes me want to succeed just like they did.”

“One thing that I have done to my game is attend off-season workouts. During the winter I go to lifting. Then in the summer, we start to lift and run. Then we will run through some things out on the field for offense and defense.”

Shelley has also established goals for him and the Bees for the upcoming season.

“My individual goal would be to get 1st team All-CCC and Lineman of the year for the CCC,” he said. “I also have a goal to earn my first college offer this year.”

“The first goal for my team is to finish the year with a winning record. We came close last year with a 5-5 record, but we want more. The second goal for my team is to reach the playoffs.”

“I do have plans to play football at the next level,” he added. “I would like to play football in college but I don’t know where I would like to go yet. I am working my hardest to try to take my football career to the next level.”

But for now, Shelley can just focus on lining up on game day and contributing for the Bees. He also spends his time at Bethel High School helping others.

“I am involved in a leadership program at our school, involved with charities and other projects around the area,” he said. “This year, the whole high school helped out in many projects around the area. These projects included helping out at nursing homes, picking up trash, and helping out at local food banks.”

Once Shelley makes his college decision, he would like to major in finance.

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