In honor of Memorial Day, the Bison look at those currently serving our country that led our team, developed our program, and impacted the lives of their teammates and coaches in their four years.

“When I was finished with football, I still needed a challenge, and I found that in special warfare,” said James Button class of 2007.  Button played Strong Safety for the Bison during his four years and as a senior was a key component in going from 1-9 to 10-2.  James is currently stationed in Florida as a Navy diver.  “It’s like a brotherhood.  I never thought I would have a normal life after basic training, but I wouldn’t do anything else in the world.”

Kyle Cannon, class of 2005, was one of the first Bison and is now a soldier in the army currently stationed in Germany.  He has spent 16 months in Iraq, but welcomed the opportunity to reminisce about his days at Station Camp.  Cannon was attending Hendersonville as a freshman but left when given the opportunity to start a program.   Starting out as a guard and defensive lineman, Kyle worked his way into the starting lineup as a runningback and linebacker.  “They taught me leadership,” Cannon stated.  “It has helped me excel in my career to the point I am a year and a half ahead of schedule for promotions. 

Cannon has commanded a 13 man team while in Iraq and quickly discovered the horrors of war.  Kyle has stayed virtually injury free only receiving a concussion when his driver swerved to miss a roadside bomb.  “Mentally football can only prepare you for so much, but what it does prepare you for, never leaves you,” said James Button.  “The constant punishment caused my body to begin to breakdown to the point I had to mentally be somewhere else so my body would work without thinking about what it was having to go through.”

As a diver, Button spends working in pitch black, freezing waters under ships that stretch the length of a football field operating mostly on feel.  “Doing everything blind without panicking was a challenge at first,” stated Button.  James intends on being stationed in Hawaii working with the Navy Seals during his next command.

“I will miss everything about Friday nights,” said Kyle Cannon “from the smell of the grass, to the sounds of the crowd, there is nothing like it.  While winning is what every player and coach is judged on, James Button recognizes a higher purpose to his time at Station Camp. “The thing that is special is creating men.  The obstacles in life and football are the same.  Both times there are moments of brokenness and times when you can take on the world.  Station Camp elevates a drive to fight through.”  

Bison serving our country:

2005: Kyle Cannon- Army

2005: Chris Davenport-Navy

2006: Jeff Ferebee-Army

2007: Spencer Bristol-Navy

2007: Justin Biggers-Navy

2007: James Lott-Navy

2007: James Button-Navy

2009: Matt Johnson-Marines