Ten 10 MaxPreps stories from fall of 2012

From a record-setting rusher to blind athletes to 67-yard field goals to 21-year-old imposters, the fall of 2012 had it all. Here's a sampling.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Mitch Stephens
By
Jan 2, 2013, 3:00pm

8. Jacob Rainey takes the field

In a remarkable feat of determination and triumph over tragedy, Woodberry Forest (Va.) quarterback Jacob Rainey returned to the football field in a 28-19 loss to Benedictine (Richmond, Va.).

Jacob Rainey, Woodberry
Jacob Rainey, Woodberry
Photo by Clarence Thomas
Rainey, a highly-touted quarterback prospect entering last fall, broke his knee in a scrimmage on Sept. 3 of last year. A severed artery and other complications forced doctors to amputate part of his right leg.

Through a rehabilitation process that included well wishes from the likes of Tim Tebow and Nick Saban, Rainey was penciled in as a starter for the team's season opener.

On Friday morning, Rainey had a message for those who did not expect to see him take the field again.

"Big shout out to every person, doctor or journalist that doubted me and said this day would never come. I'm here," he said on Twitter.

"You don't hear, a year later, somebody losing their leg and coming back to be starting quarterback," teammate Phillip Berry told the Daily Progress before the game. "He is definitely a hero in my eyes."

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