At 6-foot-3 and just over 300 pounds, Will Cassim is hard to miss on the field as a member of the Harlan County High School football team.
Cassim has been a key member of the line since he arrived at HCHS and became one of the few freshmen to earn a starting job. He’s played a key role on both offense and defense during that time, leading the team’s linemen in tackles last year with 49, including seven for losses, while playing guard on an offense that has produced 1,000-yard rushers each of the past two seasons.
“Will is one of the best players in the region. He’s a kid who knows how to play, has the athletic ability to play the game and is mean enough to play the game. He knows both sides of the ball very well,” said Harlan County coach Amos McCreary.
Cassim, who also plays first base on the baseball team, grew up around football and developed a passion for it early in life.
“I can remember playing tackle football in grade school. It’s always been my sport. I’ve played it as long as I can remember,” said Cassim. “My dad played football a couple of years in high school and my uncle Garry (Henson) played all four years at Cawood (an all-stater at defensive end in 1986). I grew up watching my cousin Garry (Henson, second leading all-time tackler) at HC. He was a role model to look up to.”
While he certainly is built like a football player, Cassim is even more of a standout in the classroom where he maintains a 3.9 grade point average. He could almost certainly continue playing in college but has other plans at this point.
“I’ve thought a little about playing in college and talked to some coaches over the years,” Cassim said. “I don’t think now I will pursue football in college. I’m looking into going into mechanical engineering at UK and then law school. I know I could play football somewhere, but I’m not thinking that way now. My sister Emily is my biggest role model. She’s in general surgery at UK. I think I want to do something like that with my brain. She just finished medical school and is in residency at UK.
“Will has not only worked at football, he has worked at academics,” McCreary said. “He didn’t think his ACT was where it should be last year, but he went to work last year with several tough classes and went up about seven points.”
Before he gets to the next level, Cassim wants a senior season to remember.
“People are counting us out, but I think we can be the team this year and have a winning season,” he said. “I think we have more people who want it this year. I like the guys I have with me now. I’m real excited about this season. We just have to avoid the injury bug. I think if we can stay away from that we can be a heck of a team.”
As the most experienced lineman on the squad, along with senior tackle Jacob Shoemaker, Cassim is open to helping his younger teammates.
“Will is kind of a coach out there. If they are lined up wrong, he’s going to know it,” McCreary said. “If they are making the wrong blocks, he’s going to know it. He’s been here four years and does a good job. He knows what he’s doing and has the confidence in himself to make a play”
“I used to try to lead by example, but this year I’ve tried to step into a different role and help people when they need it,” Cassim said. “We have several younger guys on the line this year. I try to tell them what they are supposed to be doing.”
McCreary is planning to give his linemen more rest this season, but Cassim wants to play as much as he can.
“I’ve always played both ways since I started, so I hope to keep that up as much as possible. I’d like to keep rolling like always,” Cassim said. “We have some young guys on defense who are making plays. I think we’re set on the offensive line, and I will always be part of that.”
The Black Bears open their schedule Aug. 19 at Middlesboro.