Brownsboro football runs in the family
By Nathan Straus News Reporter

Ryan Epperson - 2007

It isn't unheard of for three generations of young men to enjoy the game of football. More rare is the case of Ryan Epperson, a senior in the third generation of Eppersons to play football for Brownsboro High School.

Edd Epperson, Ryan's grandfather, once scored four touchdowns in a single game, and Ryan is closing in on this record, having reached three touchdowns in a game himself. Larry Epperson, Ryan's father, played linebacker on defense, halfback on offense, and was voted Defensive Player of the Year in 1977. Larry also achieved all district and all county teams his sophomore, junior and senior years.

Ryan enters the field of play wearing the same number his dad wore: #12.

Larry Epperson said seeing his son wearing #12 brings back memories, and Ryan's ending up in the jersey wasn't on purpose, either.

"He got that by accident," Larry said. "It was the only number left when he joined up, so he took it."

Larry said Ryan entered the fray when Bears football coach John Settle was overseeing defensive drills, and realized he would need more players due to injuries on the team.

Edd Epperson - 1953

Settle said Ryan, the young up-and-comer who donned number #12 for the high school four years ago, is now the team's starting fullback.

"He does things right," Settle said. "He's a leader and a winner."

According to Settle, Ryan hasn't missed a single practice is four years.

Ryan Epperson, a 17-yearold student at Brownsboro High School, said he plays linebacker on the defense, just like his father, and running back on offense.

"All my brothers played football, and my father did too," Ryan said. "My family always liked football, it helps build character."

The Epperson's have quite a household, and Ryan has three brothers, Todd, Dustin and Grayson, ages 24, 22 and 2, and two step-brothers named Zach and Blake.

Ryan added that his family has been right along with him on his foray into the field of football, including his father and grandfather.

"They don't miss anything," Ryan said.

Larry Epperson said his father Edd was a big sports fan, and theorized as he had inherited the love of football from Edd, Ryan perhaps inherited it from Larry and from Ryan's brothers.

Larry Epperson - 1977

"When I was a kid football was something you did, besides fishing," Larry said.

Larry also said Ryan's very first year in football was in the 7th grade.

Football isn't all Ryan plays; he also enjoys baseball and has even played basketball and soccer.

"I'm real proud of Ryan. We all are," Larry said.

Ryan, who now has over 400 tackles to his name, said he has put some thought into his college career, but isn't completely decided on where to go just yet.

"I'm definitely going to try to get on the Texas Tech team," Ryan said, "but ultimately I don't know where I'm going to college."

While he does want to see how he does playing college ball, Ryan said going pro would be a fantastic goal.

"It'd be a dream come true," Ryan said.

Ryan added that while in college he may study to become a coach.

"I respect coaching," Ryan said, "and I'm thinking about going into kinesiology."

But his senior year isn't over yet, and there are still victories for the Bears to win.

Larry Epperson said last year the Bears went to the quarterfinals, but were knocked out by Celina.

"I'm still waiting to see where the games take them," Larry said. "They lost a lot of experience from graduations. "

Ryan Epperson said the team still has a shot at the finals.

"All the people playing varsity are great," Ryan said. "BHS is a real respectable school and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."