Tyler Neal is always on the hunt — whether he’s on or off the football field.
When the Brownstown Central senior isn’t playing tight end and middle linebacker, he’s shed hunting with his dogs.
While he’s played middle linebacker since the fifth grade and tight end for just the past two years, Neal would rather throw blocks than tackle.
“I prefer playing offense,” Neal said. “I feel like I can do more on that side of the ball. It’s a nice mix of a lot of blocking and mixing in some routes. I feel like I can contribute more to the team that way.”
Since the Braves changed to a shotgun Wing-T last year, Neal has played tight end.
“I feel like our linemen are understanding the offense more (this season),” Neal said. “They are more aware of who they are supposed to block. We’re hitting our blocks a lot better and getting a good push off the ball. It’s giving our backs more room to run and do what they do best.”
Neal said that he tore his meniscus for the second time last fall, but he recovered quickly.
“I had the same injury in eighth grade and they repaired it,” he said. “Compared to having the repair done, just having the meniscus removed (last season) let me recover a lot quicker and faster.”
Off the field, Neal — who is a member of National Honor Society and is the President of the Booster Club — stays busy with academics, hunting and fishing.
He’s a part of the North American Shed Hunting Association and has traveled to competitions in South Dakota, Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas.
His freshman year, he went to the world competition.
Neal personally hasn’t been able to go to worlds since due to prom falling on the same weekend as the event, but his family has gone the past three years.
What Neal will most most about attending Brownstown Central High School and playing on the football team are the relationships.
“I’m going to miss the community we have here,” Neal said. “You make a lot of close friends throughout the years. Being a small school, you know everyone in the hallways.
“I fell in love with (football). I like the physicality of it and how it develops boys into men.”
He plans on obtaining a business degree and working in insurance with his dad in the future.
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Name: Tyler Neal
School: Brownstown Central
Parents: Jeff and Shannon Neal
Siblings: Braden and Bryce Neal
Sports: Football 4 years, basketball 2 years, golf 2 years
Athletic highlights: winning sectionals freshman and junior year, playing in Lucas Oil Stadium.
Organizations: Booster Club President, National Honor Society, Letterman’s Club.
Plans after high school: Obtain a business degree
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite TV show: NCIS
Favorite musician: Luke Bryan
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump
Favorite team: Indiana Hoosiers
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What: Brownstwon Central (5-1) at Clarksville (0-6)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Radio: 96.3-WJAA
Where: Clarksville field
Last outing: Seymour def. Brownstown Central 34-32, Silver Creek def. Clarksville 68-6.
Most recent meeting: Brownstown Central won 76-0 on Oct. 2, 2015.
Series past 30 years: Brownstown Central 25-13.
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