Charlie Andrews was one of the fastest kids on the Arlington High School football team his freshman year. He ran a 4.89 in his 40 yard dash. There was only one kid on the team that was faster than him. He was the senior starting running back, Terri Lewis. Lewis was the best running back in the state of Texas. He had already run for over 5,000 yards in his high school career. During his junior year, Lewis ran for 2,100 yards, leading Arlington to their second straight state title.
Arlington was to face South Houston High in their first game. On Arlington’s first possession, Lewis took the ball up the middle for a 69 yard Arlington touchdown. Arlington wanted to get out ahead of South Houston early, so they decided to go for the two-point conversion. Lewis took the pitch to the outside, ran for the pylon, cut back, and was hit hard at the knees by a South Houston linebacker short of the goal line. When the pile cleared, Lewis was still on the ground. He was screaming and pointing at his knee. He was taken off the field in a stretcher and then take to the local Arlington Hospital. Lewis had suffered a career-ending knee injury. The running back spot was now in the freshman Charlie Andrew’s hands.
Charlie started out strong with a 100 yard game against Riverdale, hated rivals of Arlington High.
Charlie continued this for the next 8 games, racking up 951 yards on 141 carries. Arlington was now 10-0 going into the playoffs. They were the number one seed in the tough Div. IV. They won their first three games of the playoffs, and they were to play in the State Championship game.
The talk all week was about how the young Andrews boy would handle all the hype going into the game. Andrews did not disappoint, running for 236 yards on 26 carries. Arlington won the game 45-21, receiving their second straight state championship trophy. This was a big confidence boost for Andrews. The bravery and perseverance it took to come through for his team would be something he...