Football Hosts "Hero of the Day"

MARS HILL, N.C.-- Mars Hill's football team hosted local sixth-grader Johnny Jennings in the team's first "Hero of the Day" program of the season.

Johnny was selected by his teachers at Windy Ridge School in nearby Weaverville to be the "Hero of the Day" with the Mars Hill football team. As part of his experience, Jennings donned a helmet and uniform and practiced with the team Thursday. He practiced with the kickoff team and scored on a reverse while practicing with the offense. Johnny is pictured kneeling in the front row of the above photo with the team, wearing the no. 27 white jersey.

After practice, Johnny capped off his special day eating with the football players in the school's cafeteria. Johnny was the first visitor as as part of the Mars Hill football team's "Hero of the Day" program for students from local schools.

The team will host a "Hero of the Day" every Thursday the rest of the season. The program seeks to pair outstanding local students with the Mars Hill football team to experience a collegiate practice.

Mars Hill's football team will be in action tomorrow when they host Lenoir-Rhyne at 1:00 p.m. in Meares Stadium.