Payton McCrary takes a breather during a Liberty Middle School basketball game. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Payton McCrary, an eighth-grader at Liberty Middle School, enjoys playing football because it is a contact sport.

“I like hitting and getting hit on the field. I also like to get my team ‘hyped’ before the game,” McCrary said. “I won ‘The Heart’ award during football season because my coach said that I had a good heart.”

In addition, McCrary plays basketball on Liberty’s eighth-grade team. “I play receiver in football. In basketball, I play small and power forward,” he said. He also wants to start running track.

At Liberty, McCrary participates in the Men of Destiny organization.

Payton’s twin brother, Ayden, shares his interest in sports and plays football for the Liberty Lions. Their mother is Narcissus Fletcher.

“In the short time that I’ve known him, Payton has made an impact on me, and I’m sure many people others in the school would say the same thing,” Liberty teacher and dance team coach Thomasena Garner said.

Q & A

Q: If you go out to eat in Madison, which restaurant is in one of your favorites?

A: “I love Papa John’s Pizza. It is so good!” Payton said.

Q: What’s your favorite food?

A: The XL Monster Pizza, with cheese, pepperoni and sausage.

Q: What are your favorite sports teams?

A: Cleveland Cavaliers and Baltimore Ravens.

Q: What’s your favorite sports memory?

A: “Before running on the field, I would always get the team hyped and pumped to play. The other eighth-grade football players looked forward to me doing this before each game,” Payton said. “Another favorite memory was scoring touchdowns against Athens and Sparkman middle schools this year.”

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: “I like to do a lot of thinking during my free time. I think about God and my family. I like going to church at Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. I also like to dance (hip-hop) during my free time and exercise to stay in shape for games and to stay healthy,” Payton said.