Prepare yourself for perhaps the best high school football story ever...

An October Friday night in Vernon, Alabama. Packed stands. A region championship on the line. Lamar County (Vernon) was hosting undefeated Winston County, a team ranked #5 in the state. And seemingly out of nowhere he appeared.

After the 37-0 win by Lamar County, everyone wanted to know who he was. A reserve that played a huge role in the game? Not exactly. Did a new star running back move into town and dominate the game? Nope. This guy didn't even play.

Jake McCoy's high school eligibility expired in 1987. But his heart never left Lamar County. Every Friday night in the fall, he longed to be back out on that field. A linebacker in 1987, his playing career was cut short when he suffered a freak knee injury. During his senior season, he couldn't even bear to go to the games, and it has haunted him ever since.

Many fans in the stands had no idea who McCoy was. The pain of that 1987 injury forced him to leave Vernon as soon as possible. He's lived in several Alabama towns, but he's never felt at home since he left Vernon.

Until October 24, 2008. Or "Redemption Day', as Jake would later call it.

"I knew this was a big game and just didn't think they knew how important it was." stated McCoy in an exclusive interview he granted "Play Is Under Review".

So what did McCoy do about it? He just marched right into the locker room and asked the coach if he could give a pregame speech.

The coaching staff was caught off guard when this crazed man entered their locker room and gave his motivational speech. But when he started speaking to the boys, they responded. According to several sources, imagine Chris Farley's "Man Down by the River" character on steroids, multiply the intensity by two and you now you are getting the picture.

By the time the team was leaving the locker room, they were ready, McCoy felt like he had done his job. He planned to go stand on the back row and watch the game. And then the pain hit him.

Memories of 1987 all over again. As a high school senior, his eyes would well up every time he watched his team run out on the field without him. Seeing the 2008 team lined up, ready to run out on to the field, he knew he had to do it.

"I did it for two reasons." stated McCoy, "One, I felt like they had lost some of their intensity during the playing of the alma mater. But more importantly, I knew something was missing in my life. I had to run out with the boys one more time."

McCoy asked the boys to "grant an old man one wish" and let him lead them out on the field. After busting through the paper, McCoy walked ten yards and then led the team in a sprint onto the field.

What happened next?

Lamar County took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and essentially the game was over.

At halftime, McCoy joined the team for a half time speech imploring them to "not be satisfied" even though they were up 24-0. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Lamar County recovered a fumble on the kickoff and returned it for a touchdown.

When asked how he felt afterwards, McCoy said he finally found that "sense of peace" he's been looking for. The pain of 1987 was now gone and he could move on with his life.

McCoy will not make weekly appearances for the team. "They have a great coaching staff. They can get the boys ready every week. I'm ready to move on."

Jake McCoy. His eligibility may have ended in 1987, but his high school career ended in 2008.