Raiders JV defender conquering autism, working for varsity role

Hunter Dudley has autism, and concentrating is a challenge.

However, when it comes to playing football, the L.D. Bell sophomore cornerback is focused.

“I wanted to play because I wanted to get into a physical sport – and it’s a lot of fun,” said Dudley, who started playing in the seventh grade.

“I like to just work hard and try to get better.”

Dudley is not slow, physically or mentally. As a member of the junior varsity team, he impresses his coaches with his work ethic, progress, and he is a solid student in the classroom.

“Like any student with autism, you have to use a modified curriculum, different techniques,” said L.D. Bell varsity coach Mike Glaze. “He is very smart.”

Defensive backs coach Ryan Howard said Dudley’s autism should never be mistaken for a lack of intelligence – in fact, quite the opposite. It takes intelligence to play football, especially today’s fast-paced form of the game.

“He’s a very smart kid,” said Howard. “For anyone, there’s a lot of different hours to put in, a lot to learn.”

Dudley said that is one of his favorite parts of playing football, learning all the plays. It’s also the toughest, he said.

“There’s a lot you have to know, but that’s one of the things I really like,” he said. “It’s not easy, but you have to know them.”

Dudley gets good grades. His favorite subject is history.

“I like learning about the past,” he said, adding that he’d like to study history in college.

Dudley is six feet tall and weighs just 109 pounds. What he lacks in size, though, he makes up with consistency.

“He’s very courageous to be out here, but he’s out here every day,” Glaze said.

“To see his progress is amazing,” Howard said. “His work ethic is something others can feed off of.”

Dudley has also won the admiration of his fellow teammates.

“There’s not a guy on this team that wouldn’t do anything they could for this young man,” Howard said.

Like all players, Dudley wants be on the varsity. He knows that will take a lot more work, but work is something he has always welcomed and does well.

“He comes out every day and gives it everything he has,” Glaze said.

“Absolutely, he could be on the varsity one day,” Howard said. “Everybody’s got a role, and he knows his role is to show up every day with a great attitude and do all he can to make himself and his teammates better.”

Glaze added that what makes Dudley special is not his autism. “The thing that makes him unique and special is his outlook,” Glaze said.

Meanwhile, Dudley remains focused on his favorite sport – he doesn’t play any other. He is patient, diligent, and he’s conquering all challenges, including his autism.

So, when asked what’s next on his list of goals, he doesn’t hesitate with the answer.

“I want to work harder and try to get on the varsity,” he said. “To do that, I need to just continue to get better.”

▪  L.D. Bell Blue Raiders (0-8, 0-4 in District 7-6A) vs. Haltom Buffalos (1-6, 0-3)

6 p.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium

For the second time this season, the Blue Raiders will play in the home of the Dallas Cowboys, and this time they hope to break a nine-game losing streak dating to last season. Bell's last victory was 39-22 over the Buffs in the ninth game of 2014, continuing their command of the overall series.

This story was originally published October 19, 2015 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Raiders JV defender conquering autism, working for varsity role."