Leader of the pride
The “Star Wars” movie franchise is a favorite of Mark Hand, Briarwood Christian School’s senior middle linebacker. This fall, he’s hoping to channel his inner Luke Skywalker and bring the force to the Lions defense in 2018.
“I am the biggest ‘Star Wars’ fan of all time,” Hand said. “I’ve watched every single movie and seen both the TV series. I have been obsessed with it since I was a little kid.”
As his senior season begins, Hand looks to be the leader of a defense that allowed just 10.6 points per game in 2017 and 12.7 points per game in 2016.
“I feel like I must be a defensive leader,” Hand said. “Everyone always looks to the middle linebacker for leadership because it is the heart of the defense, as well as he calls things out for us. Naturally that already puts me in a good position to lead, but on top of that I’ve played for two years on varsity, so they look to me as an experienced player. I feel like I’ve been pretty vocal in years past, but I will be even more this year.”
Hand has been playing football since seventh grade, but he has played lacrosse for as long as he can remember.
“It has always been a part of my life,” Hand said.
Hand is committed to play lacrosse collegiately at North Carolina, a school he pledged to his freshman year. He chose the Tar Heels over Maryland and Syracuse.
“I have been thinking about maybe trying to walk on for [football] at UNC because I love football so much, but I am not sure yet,” Hand said. “In a perfect world I would play both, but I am not sure I’ll get that, so it is difficult to choose between sports at this point. I love them both equally.”
Football helps Hand with his lacrosse game and vice versa.
“The footwork at linebacker is actually very similar to playing defense in lacrosse, as well as teaching me to be more physical,” Hand said. “Lacrosse also helps football because of the footwork and the conditioning. Our lacrosse team has very limited numbers, so we are in fantastic shape.”
Being in shape, by way of working hard, is what motivates the Lions linebacker.
“I have this picture in my head that someone else is out-working [me] today, and if I’m not working just as hard as he is, he will be better than I am,” Hand said. “So, I must keep working.”
Off the field, family and faith are the most important things to Hand. He is close with his brothers. His favorite Bible verse is Romans 12: 1-2.
“Without [my faith], none of this matters,” he said. “My biggest thing is competing in a way that does not turn my opponents off to Christ, but also competing hard. I try to not only live this out on the field but in life. Live in a way that shows Christ through me.”
The goal in 2018, as it is for all teams, is a state championship ring. A season ago, the Lions came close, falling 17-14 to St. Paul’s in the Class 5A state title game.
“My goal for our team is 5A state champions and region champs,” Hand said. “Nothing less. My goal personally is to lead in a way that people want to follow. It will be a successful year personally if I can lead with integrity but also bring a fire to the games.”
Hand loves the teamwork that is involved in football. He counts on his teammates, and his teammates count on him. In 2018, it will be Hand who leads the Briarwood defense.
“I love working for something bigger than yourself,” he said. “Some may get more recognition than others, but that doesn’t matter to me. Doing my job so that someone else can do theirs for the bigger picture of winning the game is the best feeling in the world.”
That sounds a lot like Luke Skywalker.