Email this story Print this story Archives

From Indian to Eagle: Elko kicker Byers signs to play football at Feather River

By MARTIN HARRIS — Sports Editor
Friday, May 25, 2007 10:46 PM PDT

Elko’s Aaron Byers, second from left, poses with his mother Helen, second from right, former Elko football coach Dan Chappuis, far left, and Elko High principal Mike Altenburg, far right. Byers recently signed to play football at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif. (Martin Harris/Elko Daily Free Press)

ELKO — Elko High’s Aaron Byers is getting the opportunity to continue his football career at the next level.

The senior, who graduated Friday, signed on to play college football at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif.

“It’s a good college,” Byers said. “It’s a beautiful campus and has good facilities.”

Byers was a four-year varsity player for the Tribe. After playing sparingly his freshman year, he was among the elite in Northern Nevada his last three seasons. During his sophomore year, Byers blasted his kickoffs an average of 56 yards and as a junior, he nailed three field goals of 40 yards or better.

Last season, Byers took on an expanded role with the team. In addition to continuing his kicking duties, he lined up as a receiver several times. He caught five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown, while earning all-league honors for the second straight year.

Playing at Feather River, however, is a second chance for Byers. The Nevada Wolf Pack wanted the Elko kicker but his grades were not up to UNR standards. After talking to Nevada coaches, he decided Feather River was the next-best choice.

“I want to prove I can get the grades and transfer to UNR. I know I have the ability, but I didn’t use it,” Byers said.

Feather River will give Byers the chance to get his grades up and continue to play football.

“UNR suggested he go to Feather River because they place a lot of kids in Division I,” said Helen Byers, Aaron’s mom. “(Nevada) wants to see him in a year or two.”

Feather River helped eight players from its 2005 team move on to a four-year program, including four that went Division I-A.

The Golden Eagles, who went 6-5 last year, are excited to sign a player that was heavily recruited by the University of Nevada. Byers said their coaches told him he’d play right away and will handle all the kicking and punting duties.

In addition to academics, Byers wants to use his time at Feather River to better his kicking skills. He wants to improve his accuracy in both his place kicking and punting.

Despite all of success in football, it almost never happened. Helen Byers did not want her son playing the physical sport at first.

“I was going to allow him to play only one year of football,” she said.

Her trepidation started when her older son, Josh, suffered a severe knee injury that ended his playing career. Watching Aaron play, scared Helen immensely.

“I had all the dads all over me trying to talk me into letting him play,” she said. “They finally talked me into it. They told me he could go on to high school football and get a college scholarship.”

The declaration proved prophetic as Byers is now preparing for the next level, meanwhile, mom has softened her attitude towards the sport.

“I think it’ll be really good for him,” Helen Byers said of Aaron’s impending departure to California. “It’s a small school and a small town. It’s like Elko. He won’t get lost in the mess.”

Byers was not a football-only athlete. He was a two-year member of the varsity basketball team, a three-year track athlete and even played JV baseball during the spring of his sophomore year. As a senior on the basketball team, he averaged 2.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game off the bench. Then last weekend, Byers competed in his first state track meet and placed third in the high jump at 6 feet, 2 inches.

Byers said he’ll miss the competition, particularly against the bigger schools.

“I like competing against the bigger schools because it’s more of a challenge,” Byers said. “It’s more of a challenge to win and do good. The coaches also push you harder to get to that next level.”

Someday, he hopes to get a degree in physical education and science so he can become a teacher and a coach. However, that career path comes after his first dream.

“I’ve always wanted to kick in the NFL,” he said.

With a spot on a college team, Byers is one step closer to his dream.

By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by our comment policy.

**Your Member ID and password will be required to log in. Your comments will appear under your user name.