By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Sports Editor

MONTGOMERY – Flying under the radar during his senior season, not many really understood just how talented Mark Hand was in 2018, but the talented linebacker from Briarwood Christian School was still named one of the 48 best players in the state and one of the three best defensive players in the 5A classification.

He was honored on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the 2019 ASWA awards banquet, which recognized the six best players from each classification.

A three-year starter for the Lions, Hand burst onto the scene during his sophomore season at BCS when he posted 132 tackles to lead the team despite being one of the youngest defensive starters.

Two years later, he posted 92 unassisted tackles, 95 assisted tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions and three defensive touchdowns to close out his career.

“I’ve never really felt like I was that kind of player,” Hand said. “I’ve honestly felt like I was under others on the team, and just trying to help contribute what I could to the team. So this year, I wanted to prove something to myself, so it means a lot that I was able to do that and I’m so happy to be here in this situation.”

He didn’t just prove something to himself, he made a statement to the entire state that he was one of the best linebackers in the history of the state, with former head coach Fred Yancey saying he was one of the best in school history.

“I had the world,” Hand said of his experience at Briarwood. “I learned so much from all of the coaches and will have memories of a lifetime.”

Hand was part of a defense the last three years that didn’t give up more than 12.7 points per game, thanks in large part to Yancey and defensive coordinator Matthew Forester.

During the 2018 season, he got to be a part of something more special, however.

At the end of the year, Yancey announced his retirement after 29 years of leading Briarwood and defensive coordinator/linebacker’s coach Matthew Forester, who Hand spent the majority of time with, was announced as the newest head coach at the school.

“This season was such an honor, because coach Yancey is such a great man,” Hand said. “Everything he has meant to everyone, he’s just so nice and he’s really impacted so many people and the fact that I was a part of his final season means the world.

“I was with coach Forester every day, and so I’m really happy for him and can’t wait to see what the future is like for both of them. They both taught me how to work hard and keep pushing even when I’m tired and don’t feel like it. They wanted to help us grow just a little every day.”

While he gives those two loads of respect and credit for his growth as a football player, Hand knows his parents are the one that helped him even get started in sports.

“I give them everything. They pushed me when I was real young and I didn’t want to do anything,” Hand said with a laugh. “My dad really helped me work out and pushed me to work hard. I wouldn’t be here without my parents’ love.”