Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — It was a lineman’s dream coming true.
Linemen generally do all the dirty work of blocking for the running backs and never score unless they fall on a fumble.
But that wasn’t the case for Rock Hill Middle School lineman David Bailey.
Rock Hill coach Mark Lutz and Ironton coach Bart Burcham talked prior to this past Thursday’s game to discuss the situation of putting Bailey in the backfield.
Following the 8th grade game, the 7th grade teams played a short scrimmage in which each team ran 10 plays.
With his 7th grade quarterback hurt, Lutz stepped in at is former playing position on the final two plays of the scrimmage and handed the ball off to Bailey.
The Redmen offensive line opened up a hole and Bailey ran past the defensive line and linebackers into the secondary where he outran everyone for a 70-yard touchdown gallop.
“He’s a good kid. We were down a fullback and put him in there. He’s one of those kids who never misses a practice,” said Lutz.
Bailey said he was caught off guard by the opportunity to run the ball.
“I was surprised. I didn’t expected,” said Bailey.
He admitted that a lot of different emotions were going through his head as the play unfolded.
“I thought ‘Oh wow! What am I doing?’ I got tired. I didn’t know if I would make it. It felt awesome. (Coach Lutz) told me ‘good job,’” said Bailey.
David is the son of Tami Stapleton and she was just as excited as her son.
“Rock Hill has awesome teammates and coaches. He’s been in football for three years and he’s always wanted to do that. We were all proud,” said Stapleton.