Young girl provides motivation for No. 5 Indians

MARION - It was one of Tony Perkins' biggest and more important messages to his Marion Indians football team, and he used a small messenger to deliver it.He urged his team to fight and never take anything for granted shortly after the Indians' 25-7 homecoming victory over Center Point-Urbana on Oct. 1. Perkins then parted the players and large group of students surrounding the team at midfield, introducing a live example of the very ideas he was trying to convey.Sierra Gilson, of Elgin, emerged and made her way to Perkins side with the help of a walker in the center of his post-game huddle. It was at that time the Marion players and students met a 4-foot-4 fifth-grader, who served as the very definition of courage and fight.It's the fight and courage the Class 3A fifth-ranked Indians (7-0, 5-0) need Friday night when they host No. 8 Union Community (7-0, 5-0) at Thomas Park  with the 3A District 5 championship at stake."She's an absolutely amazing girl," Perkins said. "She's just always smiling."Gilson was born without a ball and socket in her left hip. She has endured 11 surgeries to correct her hip. Gilson has yet to walk without help, but has never shied away from battling the ailment without self-pity. Every day she displays the toughness indicative of successful football players."The one thing I wanted to get across to the guys as I brought her out there was this little girl has all this pain in her life," Perkins said, "and she lives every day with a smile on her face."She's a happy girl and shes been through a lot."Halfway through his post-game speech, Perkins concluded his team started slowly because it took a win for granted against a winless CPU squad that just moved up to Class 3A. That's when he turned to his right and commanded players and students create a path as Gilson made her way through the crowd.He greeted Gilson and then conveyed her story in an emotional talk, pleading with his team to face each day with the effort and heart that Gilson does daily."It was really cool," senior quarterback Tyler Fisher said. "It really showed us that when you think you've given so much, you just reach down and think about that. You'll realize you have a lot more to give."It's only natural for the immediate impact to diminish, but senior Dusty Albaugh has seen a permanent effect."Overall the team morale has been pretty good ever since we met Sierra," Albaugh said. "Even to just be reminded every once in awhile there's people out there that don't get the chance that we have, it gives us the fighting ability that we want to have to take every game and practice seriously."It's one of those life lessons you have to learn."Albaugh was moved by Gilson. The versatile wide receiver and defensive back gained perspective and motivation from a courageous young girl who fights to take a step as many of the able-bodied football players are capable of running and moving as they see fit."It hit me hard because you never really think about that and then all of a sudden you see someone like that and it's kind of special," said Albaugh, who has 758 total yards, including 391 receiving, and eight TDs. "It hits you hard and makes you want to play harder."Albaugh was among the group of Marion players that approached Gilson. Most exchanged high-fives and handshakes, but Albaugh gave the youngster a big hug. Albaugh left a big impression on her as well."She said do you think I can get his autograph," Rod Gilson said of his daughter's fondness of Albaugh. "She mostly remembers No. 5."

Perkins has been friends with Gilson's father, Rod, meeting in the early 1990's and going on an annual hunting trip together. He's known Sierra her entire life, keeping up on her progress as she's undergone the numerous procedures and recovery."We just update him on what's going on," Melody Gilson said. "He's gotten to know her over the last 11 years. He's kind of watched her go through all these surgeries."He promised her last fall to bring her to a game, and during the speech offered to let her carry water bottles for a game in the future when she's walking better."It would be cool to carry water bottles," Sierra Gilson said.Gilson turned 11 years old Thursday and will celebrate with a slumber party Saturday. The birthday kicks off a year, promising no further surgeries after having two since her 10th birthday. She met the other procedures with a resilient attitude.Sierra's mother, Melody Gilson, said her daughter had to be put in a body cast for six weeks or longer for about half of the surgeries. Not even a body cast could keep Sierra from attempting to learn how to crawl or pull herself up to chairs."She's always had that strong will to keep going," Melody Gilson said. "She had a nothing was going to hold her down type attitude."It's that attiude that will hopefully lead to her to play golf, which is one of her favorite sports with football. She has actually been able to swing a club with her dad, who took to the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., pushing her around all 18 holes in a bicycle carriage. Rod Gilson said due to her hip she will only be able to play softball and golf.Her favorite football teams are the Iowa Hawkeyes, Valley Community Tigers and, of course, the Marion Indians. The youngster watched the game from the 50-yard line. She made her way to the field afterward and was a bit overwhelmed, admitting she was nervous."I wasn't used to going into the huddle," Sierra Gilson said. "It was pretty awesome to go into the huddle. And to watch them play."Her parents, Rod and Melody Gilson, looked on as she stood with Perkins and was greeted by the team in unison saying, "Hi, Sierra." Melody Gilson was surprised by Perkins gesture and and said his words reinforced how special their daughter is."It took our breath away," Melody Gilson said. "We didn't expect that."Rod Gilson added, "It was all about her. It was pretty dramatic."Perkins hoped the lesson extends well beyond the gridiron. He said the world would be a better place if people shared Sierra Gilson's attitude."It was even more than that because I'd much rather them understand it's not just the game of football," Perkins said. "We're trying to make a better man out of you. We're trying to get you to be a fighter in your life after football."I've never asked them (about it) because each person has to take something different away from it. They have to soul-search to see what it brought out of them."The experience could help the Indians capture a district title as they meet up with the Knights in an undefeated tilt for the third straight year. The team with more fight, desire and courage will likely come away with a win."We both have quality teams coming in undefeated and it's going to come dow to exactly what we've been talking about," Perkins said. "Are you willing to play harder than you ever have? That's the team that's going to win."Something Siera Gilson has taught the Indians.