Long time coming: Carter's determined battle to play inspires Handley

View larger image Handley wide receiver David Carter lines up before running a pass route during the Judges' 47-13 win against Brentsville on Sept. 26 in Winchester. Carter, a senior, is playing football for the first time since his eighth-grade year. Andrew Thayer/Daily file

By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- tkeeler@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- Handley has had a knack for overcoming adversity this season, but if the Judges ever need inspiration, all they have to do is look to one of their teammates.

Handley senior David Carter has been dealing with adversity for the last four years. Carter has missed the last three football seasons due to ulcerative colitis, a disease that affects the intestines.

He's had four surgeries and has spent plenty of time in hospitals since his eighth-grade year. While his teammates and friends were playing football the last three years, Carter was generally either in a hospital or on the sidelines unable to play.

"It was tough," Carter said. "I had to stay in the weight room and work out and keep healthy."

When Carter was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in the eighth grade, current Handley quarterback Geremi Long still remembers when it happened.

"We came up to Handley for football," Long said. "We were handing out equipment. I remember the last time I saw David [Carter] because he didn't have forms. He was like, 'I'm going to go get this signed and I'll be right back.' We were like, 'OK, David. See you later,' and then I didn't see him for three months. We didn't really hear anything from him and then we heard that he was real sick."

Last year Carter started out playing for the Judges and even played in a benefit pre-season game. However, he suffered a hip pointer in the game, which then led to the disease flaring up again.

Carter had another surgery and missed all but two games last season. When he was at the University of Virginia Medical Center, Carter said he was uplifted by visits from his teammates.

"We made sure we would go up there and see him and keep talking to him," Long said. "I'm glad he's back."

Carter played varsity basketball last season and was a key contributor off the bench. He helped lead the team to the Group AA, Division 3 state quarterfinals. Carter also played tennis for the second straight year.

This season, Carter is finally back on the football field playing his favorite sport. Carter said he doesn't have the disease anymore and is finally 100 percent healthy.

"It feels real good," Carter said of being back on the field. "It's been five years since I last played."

Carter said the speed of the game was a little difficult at first, but he's adjusted to it. After being away from the game for five years, Carter is making up for lost time this season.

He's done a little bit of everything for the Judges in leading them to a 6-0 start. He has 64 tackles, which is third in the area. He only has one interception, but it came at the perfect time -- sealing a win in the season-opener against Harrisonburg.

As a receiver, he has 13 catches for 252 yards and is tied for the most touchdowns by a receiver in the area (five).

"We always knew he had a lot of potential," Handley coach Tony Rayburn said. "He's finally been able to stay healthy. So far he's had a great year and he's made some plays."

In the Judges' 31-30 overtime win against Warren County, Carter made several of the game's biggest plays.

With the Judges trailing 24-17 in the final minutes, Handley decided to use a trick play. Handley senior and wide receiver Kenny Griffin took the ball on a reverse and then threw it to Carter for a 55-yard touchdown, sending the game into overtime. In the overtime, Carter made his biggest play yet. With Warren County just an extra point away from sending the game to a second overtime, Carter blocked the kick to give Handley the win.

"I was close to blocking it the whole game," Carter said. "I knew if somebody would block the kick we would win the game. It felt good."

Long said he's not at all surprised that Carter has had so many big plays for the team this year. Long is also quick to point out how glad he is to have Carter as one of his receivers.

"I can just throw it in the air and let him do the rest," Long said. "I've told him, 'You make my job so easy and make me look good all the time.'"

The Judges face their toughest test of the season tonight when they play at Sherando at 7 p.m. Handley will be without senior running back/defensive back Jeremiah Wilson due to a knee injury. Rayburn said the team isn't sure when Wilson will be back. The team also has several other players battling injuries and Rayburn said most of them are day-to-day.

Sherando is coming off a win over James Wood and will be looking for revenge after losing last year to Handley.

"I expect a good, physical game," Carter said. "We will all have to play at 100 percent to beat them. They're a good team."

Carter said he's just happy to be back on the field and playing with his friends for his senior season.

"I think if we all play at 100 percent this season we have a chance to go really far," Carter said. "Everybody really works together and does their job. We've known each other for a long time. We have a lot of team unity. I wouldn't want to be on any other team."

If the Judges get down during their games this season, all they have to do is look to Carter and what he's been through for extra inspiration.

"We're all like brothers," Long said. "We've been playing with David since we were in the fourth or fifth grade. Just to see him back out there running around back to what he used to be is just a good feeling."