Captain of U.S. soccer team from Collierville

At Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro

Playing soccer in a country with as much history and success as Brazil isn’t lost on Kevin Hensley. And neither is the opportunity to represent his country.

The 24-year-old, a former allstate player at Collierville, will captain the United States as the Paralympics open today in Rio de Janeiro. The Americans open pool play Thursday against the Netherlands at the Deodoro Stadium.

“I think it’s going to hit me pretty hard,” said Hensley. “Everyone on the team has worked so hard for the chance to walk out there . ... It’s going to be emotional.

“And soccer in Brazil is just unreal. They’ll play with a ball, or a Coke can or just some rolled-up towels.”

Hensley’s journey to the Games began Dec. 23, 2006, when he suffered a stroke. Three weeks earlier while playing in a tournament in Nashville, he had jumped to head a ball. The defender didn’t, however, and Hensley fell hard, snapping his neck.

“My parents had gone Christmas shopping and when they came back, they saw that my soccer bag was in the sink, which obviously wasn’t its normal place,” Hensley said. “The CT scans really didn’t

Over the course of his career, Memphis coach Mike Norvell has never been averse to playing young running backs.

“I’ve been in situations where I’ve had some young guys,” he said Tuesday, “but never three of them.”

That’s what made Saturday’s season opener against Southeast Missouri State so unusual. Not only did the Tigers play three freshman running backs, but each filled a significant role in the team’s 35-17 win at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

True freshman Patrick Taylor Jr. led the team with 86 rushing yards on just seven carries, including a 51-yard burst down the sideline in the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman Tony Pollard, a Melrose High product, caught two passes for 24 yards and amassed 72 return yards on kickoffs and punts.

“(And) Darrell Henderson, his first touch was a touchdown,” said Doroland Dorceus, the veteran of the position group. “So he had a nice first game.”