Victor Leavell was part of a Wakefield football program that went 1-9 each of the last two seasons.
Despite the Warriors’ lack of success, Leavell’s ability as a defensive back earned him an opportunity to play in the 2nd Annual Region Rumble Football All Star Game on June 12 at South County Secondary School. The game featured some of the top seniors from the Northern Region taking on seniors from the Northwest Region. Leavell started at free safety for the Northern Region, which improved to 2-0 in the event with a 20-12 victory. The Northern Region won last year’s Rumble, 20-17, in overtime.
On Sunday, Leavell was in on multiple plays for a unit led by defensive coordinator Barry Wells, the head coach at Mount Vernon.
"Since Wakefield never wins games," Leavell said, "I guess it felt really good to win the last game in my high school career."
Wearing the No. 29, Leavell helped the Northern Region defense limit the Northwest Region to one touchdown in each half. The Northern Region trailed 12-7 late in the fourth quarter, but Hayfield quarterback Jason Stewart scored on an 8-yard run — his second rushing touchdown of the evening — to put the Northern Region ahead to stay with 37 seconds remaining.
South County defensive lineman Joshua Butler returned a fumble 58 yards for a touchdown on the game’s final play to account for the Northern Region’s eight-point margin of victory.
Leavell, listed at 5 feet 11, 157 pounds, was the National District wrestling champion in the 145-pound weight class during his senior season. On Sunday, he was joined by Wakefield teammate Derell Bell on the Northern Region roster.
"Since I was the smallest dude on defense," Leavell said, "I had to step up. I had to. I had to try to do my best."
Leavell said he will play football at a junior college in Indiana next year.
"I’m kind of sad this is my last high school game," he said, "but I’m looking forward to playing on the next level."
— Jon Roetman