by Joyce Oscar
It happens on Friday night. People jump in their cars and head for the lights. Not airport runway lights or the bright lights of your neighborhood’s all night grocery store. These are the Friday night lights that shine on every high school gridiron in the country from Washington to Florida. Somewhere in the middle you’ll find Calera, Alabama.
Ricky M. Cairns Memorial Stadium, playground to the Calera Eagles’ football team, is 35 miles south of Birmingham. On the line you’ll find 2020 Offensive and Defensive lineman Ryan Caver. Ryan is 5’11” 223 pounds and has both speed and strength. He has been playing football since the age of five and plans to continue playing in college and beyond. He knows he won’t get there on his athletic talents alone so he isn’t slacking in the classroom. Ryan was recently recognized for excelling in several classes as well as securing a position on the honor roll.
Ryan is on the right track for longevity. In seventh grade he was nominated to participate in the National Underclassmen All-Star Youth game. In eighth-grade he earned his stars during the U.S. National Team Development Games. Now as a freshman, playing both JV and Varsity, he’s helping to lead his team to victory. The Eagles are currently 4-1 and have so far averaged 31 points per game.
