Senior Spotlight: Tristan Thissen

By LARRY “SCOOP” McCARTY

Senior Tristan Thissen, like his Heber Springs Panther teammates, realize one of the season’s goals remain within reach with one game to go.

The Panthers will finish the regular season by playing at Little Rock Mills on Friday night for the final 2A-West Conference berth in the Class 4A playoffs.

“Our goal was to make the playoffs, and it is right there” Thissen said. “We are going to try our best to do that. We hope to get into the playoffs during my senior year.”

It’s also the 100th season of Heber Springs football, and Thissen said the players accept the responsibility of being a member of that team.

“I came to Heber Springs four years ago, but playing for the team in the 100th year is special,” he said.

Thissen rarely leaves the field during a game. He starts on the offensive line and at inside linebacker.

“Playing both ways is tiring, but I’m doing it for the team,” he said. “It’s my job to play at both positions. We hope to get rolling against Mills and keep the season going. I know we are considered underdogs, but we hope to show everyone what we are capable of doing.”

Thissen said he will have a lot of good memories about the season, regardless of Friday’s outcome.

“It’s just not playing on Friday night,” he said. “I will not forget all of the road trips and other things we did together. I will miss my teammates after this year. It’s a brotherhood”