Lucas ‘Chubbs’ England was loved by all: the fans, the players and the coaches. England is a senior this year with hopes of completing his dream to go play in college. With colleges talking to him and showing great interest he was almost destined to find a home. As a 4.5 star entering the 2025 football season, Chubbs was ready to earn his last half star. After the scrimmage and knocking off the rust, England was ready for the season. In the Hebron Christian season opener, he was ready to impress until tragedy struck with a season ending injury.
It was the first game of the season. Warm ups were normal, kicking 55 yard field goals mentally preparing for the upcoming challenge. England knew he had something to prove, something to earn, and he was ready to step up to the challenge. The first drive was short and it was soon time to punt. The ball was snapped wildly and panic ensued. “I ran to the ball with four defenders chasing me,” he said. “Reaching out for the ball, ‘BAM,’ hyperextended my knee and players rolling on it snapping my ankle and entire leg.”
The world stopped for England. All he could feel was the burning sensation in his knee. When trying to get up his leg couldn’t support himself and immediately fell back down. Scholarships felt as if they were slowly slipping away from his reach, his season was over. England needed surgery just three weeks later that would require months of recovery. Despite thinking his dreams of playing in college were gone, England has been in contact with smaller colleges such as Berry College, Marist University, and Muskingham College who are trying to help him live out his dream. “Seeing these texts has been amazing,” he said. “After the injury I never thought I would be playing in college, but there is still a chance.”
He wasn’t just good, he was great. From freshman year to the beginning of senior year, he was always projected to have a bright future. In his three years of kicking, England had only missed three field goals all time and was just sub-200 points all time. One of the most consistent players on the team, England had been looking forward to breaking 200 points all time and increasing his accuracy to almost perfect. “He’s the person I look up to as a kicker,” Sebastian Montag said. “He pushed me to be more accurate and work hard everyday.”
While the injury has been a major setback for England, he is not giving up. He still wants to pursue playing football in college and is doing everything in his power to make it happen.
