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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

Noah Young has been chosen as Cloudland’s Player of the Week. His play on both the defensive and offensive lines nearly propelled the Highlanders to a victory over the Huskies. He recorded seven total tackles on defense, including one for a loss. Additionally, his performance on the offensive line helped pave the way for a strong rushing night for the Highlanders.

At just 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, Noah is on the smaller side compared to most defensive ends in the area, but when you watch him on video, he plays much larger. A three-year starter for the Highlanders, he has earned All-Conference accolades. He excels at what good defensive ends do—stretching out plays so his linebackers can make tackles.

What makes Noah’s story special is that he is playing through torn labrums, which cause his shoulders to frequently dislocate. “You just have to push through the pain. A little Biofreeze helps, and really, the more I move them, the better they are. They hurt and grind, but if I can keep this loose, it’s all right,” Young shared. “This is my senior season; I need to be there for my teammates as much as possible. I hope they see someone who has a passion for the game, and the underclassmen understand what Cloudland football means,” Young added. Noah understands that this is his senior season, likely his last chance to play the game he loves, so he will endure the pain a little longer to wear the Highlanders colors.

Noah also recognizes the challenging stretch his team is going through, with back-to-back heartbreaking losses to conference foes Cosby and North Greene. “It has been rough the last two weeks; we have to get our mindset right. We have the talent to be a very good football team,” Young said. Head Highlanders Coach Zac Benfield knows it’s Noah’s high level of team pride that makes him special. “He is a very smart kid with a high level of accountability when it comes to the team; he takes winning very seriously,” Coach Benfield said. For Noah, pride also comes from wearing the blue and gold jersey. “It means a lot to be a Highlander. It’s different in Roan Mountain; there is a lot of pride and passion in getting to be a Highlander,” Young shared.

In addition to football, Noah enjoys hiking around Roan Mountain and Laurel Falls, just a couple of spots he visits to escape. He attends Morgan Branch Free Will Baptist Church and currently holds a 3.9 GPA. Noah is dual-enrolled at Carter Tech and will receive his welding certification this year.