With no disrespect meant to the Meadowview Christian cheerleaders, no Trojan has more spirit than senior Austin Deavers.

Going by title, Deavers has been the “manager” of the football team for the last four years, but he’s meant a lot more to the Trojans than that. At every game, Deavers can be heard cheering the Trojans on as loud as possible, encouraging his teammates and never giving up hope regardless of the score.

But last week, Deavers role with the team changed. Instead of showing his school spirit on the sideline, he put on shoulder pads and a helmet and suited up for Meadowview for the very first time.

“It was so fun. I loved it,” Deavers said when asked about last week’s game. “I loved every minute of it.”

Deavers led the team out onto the field and played snaps at wide receiver and on kickoff return against Sparta Academy.

This week, against South Montgomery County Academy, Deavers will play again, this time at home at Wasden Field. This will also mark the end of his playing career, as the senior will join the rest of the Trojans in finishing out the 2013 season.

“It is just the fun of being out here with my brothers and being able to talk with them and actually being able to hit someone,” Deavers said about his love for football.

Deavers often leads the football team in prayer after games and practices, something he said he loves to do.

“I love to put God first. I became a Christian when I was like 7-years old and I give credit to my grandmother for teaching me about Jesus and I try to let to set a good example wherever I go,” Deavers said. “I try to let God be the example for my life.”

Meadowview head coach Lebo Jones said Deavers is just a great all-around person.

“Austin is probably the finest young man I’ve ever been around,” Jones said. “He puts God first in everything he does and says and that’s the most important thing. We want to win ballgames and all that but you’ve got to put the Lord first in your life and Austin displays that every day in everything he does and everything he says.”

Trojans senior Brett Sharp, who has known Deavers since he started attending Meadowview Christian in sixth grade, said the entire team is excited Deavers is getting to play.

“All of these years we’ve been waiting on him to be able to put some pads on and come out here and play with us because he has more spirit than anyone else,” Sharp said.

Sharp said it’s obvious that football means a lot to Deavers.

“Everybody likes the fact he is getting to play,” Sharp said. “This is our last week of football and I’m a senior and I know I’m going to miss it, I know I am. I know he’s going to miss it but he probably cares about this more than anyone I’ve ever seen playing football.”

Beyond football, Deavers has a lot going for him. He’s never missed a day at school and he typically only checks out to attend school functions. He made a 30 on the ACT — a score most would take in a heartbeat — but he continues to push for a 34 so that he can get his tuition and boarding paid for by scholarship. He plans to attend the University of Alabama-Huntsville and go into computer engineering.

Deavers will take the field for the last time at Meadowview Christian Thursday night and he may even make a tackle or two. But one thing is for sure; he will cheer for Meadowview until the scoreboard goes dark.