When Central Junior High ninth-grader Tyler Campbell noticed that he might have an ingrown toenail on his right big toe in June, he did something that most people would not- he reached for his pocketknife and went after the problem himself.

Campbell’s “elective” surgery was followed by an operation to properly alleviate the pain and help him get ready for his first tryout as a football player. After the surgery Campbell thought his toe would be okay during the season, but he experienced pain during an agility drill during the Mustangs’ first day of practice last week. The next morning Campbell had a second surgery on the toe.

“It’s still good and numb,” Campbell said, wearing a protective wrap on his toe just hours after the surgery.

The operation kept Campbell out of the Mustangs’ second and third practices, as he recovered from the surgery. But despite the operation, Campbell hoped he would be able to return to practice for the Mustangs’ first day of pads later in the week.

Central Junior High football player Tyler Campbell gives a thumbs-up during practice. Campbell is waiting for an injury to his toe to heal.

Campbell was excited about having the opportunity to play football in pads, which is completely new to him. Campbell said he has not played football on a team until this year.

Last year as an eight-grader he ran track instead, competing in the 100-meter, 400-meter, long jump and shot put.

Though Campbell hadn’t played organized football before, he has played tackle football with his friends. He received a lot of support from friends and family to join Central’s team this year, before the injury crept up.

“Everyone’s been telling me you’d be really good,” Campbell said. “And the coaches have all been telling me to try out.”

Campbell said he was not sure what position he would play this season, but knew he wanted to play on the line of scrimmage because he liked blocking and tackling.

Mustangs coach Scott Petry could definitely see some of Campbell’s talents.

“He’s got a lot of athletic ability, but he’s rough on football skills,” Petry said. “Sometimes we get some late bloomers, though.”

Campbell joins a group that coach Petry said were “quiet leaders” and an “interesting group.” But having completed only three practices, Petry said the number one thing he was looking for this early in the season was players.

Petry noted a few kids transferred to other schools since last season ended. The injury to Campbell and the current roster of less than 15 kids out for football means the team is short on numbers.

Despite the low numbers, Petry was not worried about the character of the team.

“As a whole, they kind of lead themselves,” Petry said, noting that the Mustangs made good progress with fundamentals and implementing the team’s offense.

“It’s a tough task,” Petry said. “They’re in a learning phase right now. A lot of this is new to them. It’s not until later in the season when their skills develop and that allows them to just play.”

Not being able to participate in practice has been a bit of a concern to Campbell, but he said he was a quick learner and said he would be able to catch on fast.

And as Campbell learns the lessons on the football field during the course of the fall, there is one lesson he has learned before even setting foot on the field- let the doctor’s take care of the operations.

But now that his surgery is over, Campbell is thankful to be pain free and eager to begin a new experience playing football.

“I’m glad we did the surgery,” Campbell said. “It’s gonna feel a whole lot better now.”