Grapevine wrestler also a leader on football team

One of the Grapevine football team’s best defensive lineman is also one of the best wrestlers in the state of Texas, and coach Randy Jackson said the young man has become quite a force to be contended with.

Brian Andrews, a two-time state wrestling champion, has anchored the Mustangs defensive line with 17 tackles, three sacks, 11 tackles for loss, an interception and 26 quarterback pressures.

Jackson said that Andrews has made his presence felt in the first half of the season in a way that puts opponents on notice.

“He is a force in the interior of the defense,” Jackson said. “He sets the tone with the entire defensive line. Opposing offenses must account for him.”

Andrews said that he is pleased with the Mustangs’ 5-0 start to the season and said that he really wanted to improve on his leadership skills this season to help his team be more successful.

“We are having a very strong start to the season,” Andrews said. “The thing that I try to bring to the team is becoming the leader that I wasn’t in the past years. I wanted to really step up and do a great job of showing the underclassmen the ropes and what it takes to be successful.”

Andrews is also a four-time All-American National runner-up in the sport of wrestling at Grapevine High School, and said he has some pretty loft expectations for this season in football, as well.

“My personal goal for this year is to be the best defensive tackle/nose guard in the state,” Andrews said. “I will have to work hard and grind every day and strive to be all-state.”

To continue having the kind of success the team has enjoyed so far this season and have a good run into the postseason, Andrews said it will take a couple of things from his team.

“We are going to have play one game at a time, being crumb eaters, stinging like scorpions,” Andrews said.

Jackson said that he has watched Andrews improve throughout his high school career and said he has been a joy to coach.

“He has grown in his leadership each year,” Jackson said. “Especially within the defensive line, he has become very vocal. I am very proud of his progress.”

This story was originally published October 5, 2016 at 12:22 PM with the headline "Grapevine wrestler also a leader on football team."