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Orangeburg Prep's Michael Williamson has traveled down a long path to become an Eagle Scout.
The junior wide receiver has been involved in scouting practically all of his life and it's something that he takes pride in.
"It's like nothing i've ever done in my life," Williamson said. "It's one of my biggest accomplishments, and it's something I'll never regret."
After being an Eagle Scout for nearly a year, he has the opportunity to watch as four of his teammates attempt to travel that same road in order to achieve that same goal.
The four scouts -- junior tight end Robert McCurry, junior fullback John Brunson, sophomore offensive lineman Joseph Schriver and junior wide receiver Bo Fender -- like Williamson, have been involved with scouting for years. As they continue to strive for their Eagle Award, they know that the road will not be easy.
"It takes a lot of hard work," McCurry said. "You have to earn a lot of merit badges and being involved with football makes it that much harder."
The scouts are required to earn various merit badges, participate in community projects and hold positions of leadership and responsibility among other things. With the completion of each task, the scouts learn something valuable that they can take with them anywhere in life including the football field.
"It keeps me on track in football," Fender said. "It helps me to know that I have certain duties to perform as a player and that I need to uphold those duties." Brunson said that the goal of being an Eagle Scout is something he's had his eye on for some time now.
"After being a scout for a while, I just thought it was something I've wanted to do after being in it for so long," he said. "I thought it would help me get into college and just get me some new experiences."
Even though it is a difficult and stressful task, the four scouts are happy to have this experience.
"It makes me feel like I'm doing my part," Schriver said. "It kind of gives you a good feeling about yourself."
Indians head coach Todd Layton is happy to have players who have displayed such great character on his team.
"Every one of them are good leaders and good kids," Layton said, "but they're not the only ones on the team with good character and that starts at home."
The Indians (2-5) were successful in defeating Laurence Manning 26-14 in their first region game of the season. With an unblemished region record heading into their matchup against Pinewood Prep, Layton hopes that the leaders on his team will continue to help the Indians reach their goal of becoming region champs.
"The kids know that these games count," he said. "We've won one, but we've got three more of those left."
-- T&D Sports Writer Emery Glover can be reached by e-mail at eglover@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5532. Check out his blog, Cover 2, at www.thetandd.com. --