T-L Photo/RICK THORP St. Clairsville senior Isaak Myers has overcome personal obstacles to become one of the area’s top defensive performers on the football field.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Midway through this past high school football season, Isaak Myers hurt his wrist against Harrison Central.

“I didn’t want to say anything because it was my senior year and I wanted to keep playing,” he remembered.

He did.

For the last four weeks of the regular season and one playoff game, St. Clairsville’s 6-foot, 195-pound defensive end had his wrist taped up and he returned to earn first team All-District and All-Times Leader honors.

“He got an X-ray after the playoff game and (the wrist) was broken,” Red Devils head coach Brett McLean said. “A lot of people didn’t know he was hurt in the Harrison Central game. He didn’t want to show it and didn’t want to tell anyone.”

“He’s just that tough of a kid and was a really, really big part of this team and its success.”

McLean got a taste of Myers’ potential six years ago when he attended his football camp. From that point, the veteran coach knew he had a winner in the ranks.

“He came to our camp when he was going into sixth grade,” McLean smiled as he recalled that first meeting. “I remember he was a kid that just had a glare … the jersey, the headband, the wristband, shorts. He stood out right away.”

So much so that Myers was presented the camp’s inaugural “Mr. Football” honor.

At that time, though, football, and sports, were the furthest thing from Myers’ mind.

As a youngster growing up in Bellaire, Myers faced the unfathomable.

In 2009, his mom, Renee, a longtime teacher at the Indian Run Learning Center, died at age 39. Then, three years later, his dad, Roger Sr., a former coal miner, passed away at age 55.

Faced with an uncertain future, Myers was placed under guardianship of brothers Roger Jr. and Jason, both about 20 years his senior.

And early on, Myers didn’t have a permanent home.

“I was switched every eight days between Roger and Jason’s home,” Myers remembered, citing the work schedules of the brothers as a reason.

Eventually, he started staying with Roger and his family more in St. Clairsville and, starting with sixth grade, began attending school in St. C.

“It was difficult at first,” he said of the transition. “But once I got used to it, they were both amazing. They just came together to do everything for me.”

The first definition of family in the Merriam-Webster dictionary describes a family as something consisting of two parents rearing children. Later down, though, a family is described as a group of people united by certain convictions.

And the Myerses fit that mold. While not a family in the traditional sense, Myers describes his unit as one that cares deeply for each other, one that would do anything to make sure the other is take care of.

“They were always there for me,” he said. “If I was having a bad day, they’d sit down and talk with me and ask what was going on and help me get through the day.

“Overall, they’ve helped me so much through those hard times. I wasn’t the only one going through it. My brothers lost also. I knew I wasn’t the only one going through things and I couldn’t have my head down the whole time.”

Myers’ school days are brightened by the presence of his niece, Jade, also a senior at St. Clairsville.

“We have a very strong relationship,” he said. “It’s more of a brother-sister type one. We are always doing stuff together.”

His other nieces and nephews — Annie, Colton and Gage — have also helped him navigate the hard times, Myers said, and there are, undoubtedly, those.

“I’ll just think back on the past from time to time,” he said. “But, I just need to come in with a positive attitude and clear my mind and thoughts.”

Football, Myers said, has helped in that regard.

For him, his teammates are like family. And McLean and his coaching staff are like fathers.

“They’ve been amazing throughout the years,” he said. “They’ll do anything for you.”

For Myers, it was the coaches that helped turned the tide on his decision to come out for football.

“I fell in love with it,” he said. “That’s always I wanted to do is play football.”

And, be with his teammates, who’ve embraced Myers as one of their own and allowed him to release his emotions when need be,

“They’ve just treated me so well,’ Myers said. “All of the bonding and sharing memories, it’s just helped a lot.”

Myers stressed, though, that not one person has helped him along his journey. It’s been a collection of folks who’ve touched him in different ways.

“There’s been so many people growing up who’ve helped me through this and helped the rest of my family through this. It’s been unreal.

“I’m extremely grateful for it.”

McLean, for one, has been gratified to see Myers’ rise.

“I think this is a great story of what being involved in sports and being part of a team can do for you,” he said.

The pinnacle of the relationship between Myers and McLean came a few weeks ago when McLean presented him with the prestigious George Strager Award at the school’s fall athletic banquet. Named after the legendary and hall of fame former Red Devils head coach, the award is one of the top, if not, the top honor an athlete at the school can be bestowed.

“I couldn’t imagine a more deserving kid,” McLean said, who said he was choked with emotion during the presentation.

“You build such tight relationships with kids. But knowing his story and how he handled adversity, this kid is just tremendous.

“It’s heartwrenching, but it’s heartwarming because it has a good ending to it. I hope we had somewhat of an influence on him that first day of camp to where he winds up when he graduates.”

Myers, who plans to pursue the welding and electric trades upon graduation, was honored beyond belief with the Strager recognition.

“It was very emotional,” he said. “It was definitely something to remember. It got me going. I about cried.”

Myers will sit down today with his family to enjoy Thanksgiving. And when he does, he’ll remember his parents, but also give thanks for all those who’ve helped him, and continue to, along his life’s journey.

“I’m incredibly thankful for everything people have done for me,” he said. “Just coming together and being there.

“They’ve always been there, and I wouldn’t do anything to change it.”