Abbeville High football player has not missed workouts in two years

Abbeville High junior Allen Arclies gets it. He gets the idea that Friday night football games are won in the summer, long before the game has been played.
The Wildcats have 60 players signed up to play football this season, but on Wednesday, only half were expected to visit the weight room.
Allen is not one of those no shows. In fact, he has not missed a summer workout in two years. Abbeville High gives its players two chances to make workouts - once in the morning or once in the evening.
Allen attends both.
“I like to workout, but I also like to come help my teammates,” said Allen. “I want them to workout hard, so I come here to make sure they are doing their reps.”
Allen said visiting the weight room twice a day beats sitting around the house doing nothing. He would rather be around his buddies instead of in front of the TV.
“I look forward to coming here. I really enjoy working out,” said Allen.
Allen is not bothered by the fact that some of teammates do not show up for workouts. He understands there are times they can not make it.
Abbeville High Head Football Coach Chris Towery has been impressed by Allen’s 6-foot-3, 205-pound work ethic. Towery said if Abbeville High had more players like Allen, the Wildcats would be a powerhouse.
“He is a hardworking kid,” said Towery. “He lives in the weight room. He is the type of kid who asks me how he can get better. What can he do to get better? It means something to him.”
Allen is going to need all the weight he can put on his body, because the coaching staff decided to move Allen on the line and play him as a tight end. He has been the starting wide receiver for the Wildcats since his freshman year.
Towery said tight ends at AHS need to know how to block, catch the football and every now and then, run with the football.
This will be the first season Allen plays tight end. For two years he stood straight up on the line as a wide receiver. Now, he will be in a three-point stand coming off the offensive line.
Allen welcomes the new position with a positive attitude.
“I will play anywhere,” Allen said. “I love football. At my new position, I will work hard and do my best at it.”
Allen’s head coach, who he called his second dad, enjoys coaching him.
“Allen is a kid whom I really, really like. I wish we had 50 more like him,” Towery added. “He has a positive attitude.”