Alex Carter has gone from downtown Brambleton to the national spotlight.

On January 7, Alex Carter, a senior, represented Briar Woods High School alongside 90 of the nation’s most talented high school football players in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

Carter wore jersey number 27 for the East team, composed of the best athletes from the eastern side of the country.

The East team fell to the West team with a final score of 24-12.

“We lost, but honestly it didn't make a difference at all,” said Carter, “We were all just there to have fun and create new friendships that will hopefully last us the rest of our lives.”

Carter also was given the opportunity to get to meet Army personnel from Virginia.

“Being around all the top players in the nation and also getting a chance to meet soldiers and war heroes was something that I'll never forget,” said Carter.

“It is a rare experience,” said Charlie Pierce, Briar Woods Varsity Football head coach.
Pierce was also in attendance to the game and the events leading up to it.

One of these events took place on Friday night. Carter and Pierce, along with 1,000 others attend a banquet. Topics by guest speakers focused on the core values of the Army and football.

“I was able to speak to Alex before and after the game, but I was given an itinerary, too,” said Pierce.

Pierce attended seminars on leadership and was given the great opportunity to visit the country’s top hospital were wounded soldiers are given prosthetic limbs and the rehabilitation necessary for returning to living a normal life.