NMI’s Terry making waves in HS football

Angel Terry, standing right, joins his Hudson’s Bay High School Eagles teammates for a group photo after their game in the Class 3A Greater St. Helen’s League in Vancouver City, Washington. (Contributed Photo)

Former CNMI resident Angel Terry is making a significant impression while playing football for the Hudson’s Bay High School Eagles in Vancouver City in Washington State.

Terry, in an article by the Clark County Today, was named the Big School Lineman of the Year of the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League. He previously lived on Saipan before moving to Vancouver City a few years ago and honing his football skills with the Eagles.

The senior earned a first-team and all-league spot as a defensive lineman in his debut with the Eagles in 2016 and helped the team to a 5-4 record for their first winning season in more than 14 years.

Terry, according to the article, was a huge part of the Eagles’ resurgence as Hudson’s Bay haven’t had a winning season and failed to qualify to the playoffs for a decade. This year, they won six of their nine games to march into the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

His exploits both on the offensive and defensive line earned him a first-team and all-league to become the only lineman to earn the distinction.

Terry, in the same interview with Clark Country Today, got these accomplishments after making the necessary adjustments with his team and the league.

“I started pushing myself. I felt like if I dedicated myself to getting bigger and stronger, it would make me better for the upcoming year for football. I knew it’s my last year, so I had to do the best I could,” the 6’1”, 295-lb Terry was quoted as saying in the article. Saipan Tribune contacted Terry to get his comments, but has yet to respond at press time.

His work ethic during practice and every game earned him praises from Eagles coach Ray Lions. “He wants to win every drill, every form of conditioning. He wants to win every rep in the weight room [and] every rep on the practice field. He works hard in everything he does. He has the talent and the work ethic, which is why he’s getting the recognition. Would he ever toot his own horn? No,” added Lions when asked by Clark County Today.

Terry, however, seems to be coy with the recognition. “I don’t really like to boast. I feel if you [brag], the universe will put you down. It just feels nice to be part of something.”

The Eagles, the past two years in the regular season, went 5-4 and 6-3. This year, they qualified to the playoffs and Terry attributed that feat to teamwork.

“Last year, I hadn’t felt like I earned their trust. This year, I got to know all the players. We’ve been through a lot. We suffered together. We worked together,” Terry told Clark County Today.