Gage Hulse of Huffman has inspiring run district title. Via Vype
Originally Appeared on Vype
Perseverance.
It can't be measured like size, speed and strength, but it could be the most important characteristic a coach wants in an athlete.
If that were the case, Huffman's Gage Hulse would be a high major DI basketball prospect with offers from every national power program.
Hulse was born with pectus excavatum -- a structural deformity of the anterior thoracic wall in which the sternumand rib cage are shaped abnormally. This produces a caved-in or sunken appearance of the chest.
What it means is that Hulse struggled to breath for his entire life, while playing and living through pain.
"I used to play football up until ninth grade," he said. "It was tough. I'd have to sit out at times and take my pads off to catch my breath. The condition is pretty dangerous because it affects your heart and lungs. I couldn't have gone through this without my family and friends supporting me."
Fast-forward to his senior season and Hulse has led Huffman to an undefeated district title, while averaging over 17 points per game.
"Probably my most memorable moment was cutting down the nets when we clinched the district title," he said.
But it's been a long road to getting atop that ladder a few weeks ago.
The Story continues here
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Houston pitchers combine for 3-hitter, Astros down Guardians 5-2
Sep 28, 2024, 1:57 pm
The Houston Texans host the Jaguars this Sunday, with CJ Stroud and company looking to get back on track after getting pounded by the Vikings last week.
The Jaguars also come into this matchup hungry for a win, having started the season 0-3.
On defense, the Texans will need better production from their interior defensive linemen this week. Houston's defensive tackles rank second to last in the league this year according to PFF, and HC DeMeco Ryans made a point of saying he wants to see some improvement from that group.
Big week coming for Nico Collins?
Collins popped up on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring issue, but if he's able to play, the matchup for him is fantastic.
Houston #Texans Thursday Injury Report for Week 4 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars: pic.twitter.com/8RF9BDwhts
— Houston Texans PR (@TexansPR) September 26, 2024
The Jaguars lead the league in using man coverage, and they've employed press coverage over 80% of the time this season. No receiver in the league has better numbers against those coverages than Nico.
Collins leads the NFL in first downs per route run versus man and press coverage.
The Jags are one of two defenses to use press coverage +80% of the time in 2024.
Best WR vs. press coverage?
Nico Collins pic.twitter.com/5VND5PVO4O
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) September 25, 2024
Houston may have to lean on Collins (assuming his hamstring is good) and Stefon Diggs this week, with Tank Dell likely unavailable for the game with an injury to his chest/ribs.
Dell injured himself at the end of the Vikings game on a meaningless drive, with backup QB Davis Mills in for Stroud.
What does Vegas think?
Depending on which sportsbook you're looking at, the Texans are favored by either 6 or 6.5 points.
The total for the game comes in at 45.5.
Be sure to watch the video above as the crew from Texans on Tap covers all the angles in their game breakdown.
Plus, join us on the SportsMapTexans YouTube channel directly following the game as we'll react live to all the action!