Senior Tanner Bray has been playing football for Tunstall since 8th grade and plans to continue in college. Bray will attend Hampden Sydney College in the fall, majoring in biology and minoring in coaching, all while playing football. He had the options of playing for Emory and Henry, Methodist University, and Ferrum College.

“I chose Hampden Sydney because it’s a relatively small, successful school with many different majors. People who work there also have connections that will be beneficial to me once I graduate,” said Bray.

After college, he hopes to play football professionally.

Bray has always been excited just thinking about playing college football, but as a junior, he thought it may not be an option anymore.

During a game in eleventh grade, Bray dislocated his shoulder, which caused him to miss the rest of that game. After a few weeks of going to a physical trainer, his shoulder was still giving him problems, so he decided to go and get it checked out. After being seen at Duke Medical Center, he found out that he had torn his labrum and partially torn his rotator cuff. He didn’t want to miss out on any high school football, so he decided to play the rest of his junior and senior year with them torn. After this year’s season, he decided to finally go and have surgery so he would have the chance to play football in college.

Bray has played football since he was a child. There is just something he always loved about the game.

“I was a tubby [chubby] kid and I had major anger issues, so being able to hit people and not get in any trouble whatsoever was a true blessing. This sport was definitely made for me,” he said.

Bray currently plays on the offensive line and he loves every second of it. His favorite part about football is just being apart of the team and teaching younger students how to play the sport that he grew up playing.

Bray has had many coaches over the years who have helped him become a better player, but one really stood out: Coach Randy Hunsicker.

“We may have had our differences, but when it came down to it, he was the coach who I could always go to and let him know what I was thinking. That really helped me,” said Bray.

Whenever Bray struggled on the field, Hunsicker was always the one to answer any questions Bray had about a play that he didn’t quite understand or if he just needed advice about what to do next.

“A support system is the most important thing because it means I can go to them at anytime for anything I need and they would always encourage me,” said Bray, “My family, friends, and girlfriend are my support system and I can’t thank them enough for all they have done for me.”

Tanner said he will miss high school Friday night lights, but he is excited for the opportunities he will have at Hampden Sydney.

“I appreciate all my coaches and brothers on the team that have helped me to get this far. Go Trojans,” said Bray.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Makayla Law

Bray signed with Hampden-Sydney on March 20.