Last year I was privileged to feature in this column a young man named Nate Lyons. Nate, a junior, is in his fourth year as manager for the Jacksonville High School football team.

Coach Roland Houston told me when I did the story that he has never worked with a young man who is more responsible. Just mention anything to Nate that needs to be done and he gets it done. Sometimes he even knows before the coaches what needs attending to and it's taken care of.

Coach Houston told me that he has also never been around a young man with such a great sense of humor and knowledge of football. Nate just loves being around the game, he is a vital and integral part of the Golden Eagle team.

This year, I have gotten to know Nate even better. As I take pictures on the sidelines during the game, Nate and I get involved in conversations about what is happening on the field; what plays we think will work and how we think we are going to win.

Last Saturday in a heavy rainstorm Nate was involved in a car accident that left him with a broken neck. Thankfully Nate is already at home, recuperating. Nate has been told that he can't roam the sidelines anymore this season, something that I know hurts him more than the injury itself.

Nate epitomizes Jacksonville football; he is Jacksonville football, a Golden Eagle to the very core. Just like the football team has bounced back from adversity and tough times, I know that Nate will bounce back from this setback and will be cheering and encouraging the Eagles on.

Get well soon Nate. It won't be the same without you at the games!

Another young man, also from Jacksonville, is another person we can be very proud of. Todd Cunningham, whom I have also featured from time to time in this column, has been named by Baseball America as one of the top 20 MLB draft prospects.

Todd, who has won numerous awards playing baseball at JSU, was outstanding playing for the Cape Cod League this past summer. He flirted with a .400 batting average.

We, those of us who know him, have always known that Todd would go far. What makes Todd special is that Todd has, and will always be, Todd; humble, easy-going, fun-loving and an inspiration to all young men who would like to achieve what he has been able to accomplish.

I saw Todd Friday night at the JHS homecoming game where his brother was crowned Homecoming King, just happy to be with his family and share in his brother's moment.

Todd, like Nate, are two young men that we can all look up to. They are two young men that I am proud to know.