Deckard the epitome of a true athlete

When it comes to the word “athlete”, there may not be a better description than the young man who lined up all over the field every Friday night for the Tippecanoe football team. 

Max Deckard did it all for the Red Devils this year, and was likely the most underappreciated player in the Miami Valley Conference.

He caught passes, noted by the four touchdown receptions. He defended with a league-leading five interceptions and two touchdowns. He returned a punt for a touchdown, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and had three other punt/kickoff returns for touchdowns called back for penalties. And a stat that Coach Matt Burgacher gave me, Deckard only allowed two receptions to his assigned receiver all season from the defensive back position.

So when it comes to the MVL Athlete of the Year, they likely missed out on this one.

Deckard set the tone for the Red Devils with his steady play and was a huge part of Tipp’s state Final Four run. It was a memory he will always take with him moving forward in life.

“Being a part of this season and getting to experience it with my best friends and amazing coaches was an unforgettable experience,” he said. “From the start, our team had a special bond, and everyone bought into the same goal. We trusted each other and played for more than just ourselves every week.”

“I'm beyond proud of my teammates and coaches for what we accomplished and how we represented our community. It's one of those things you will be able to tell your future family.”

Everyone understands the importance of every position on the football field. Being such an integral part every Friday night in multiple aspects of the game was a challenge for the senior.

“Playing all three phases of the game was definitely challenging but also rewarding,” Deckard said. “Each position demanded a different mindset, but to succeed in all of them, all I needed to do was have confidence and believe in myself and my abilities.”

“Staying locked in mentally was just as important as being prepared physically. There were many times I had to switch roles/positions unexpectedly in a matter of seconds. But I embraced the challenge. It is a good feeling knowing that you are one of the guys the team trusts in tough and difficult positions.”

Deckard knows the season didn’t end the way he wanted, missing some time at the end of the year due to injury, but he knows his support from the sidelines was very important to the team's success.

“My inability to play towards the end of the year was definitely more mentally challenging rather than physically,” he said. “It sucked, but it happens. It was definitely difficult to deal with when I first found out I wouldn't be able to play, but I had to realize that there was nothing I could change about the situation. All I could do was support my teammates and show up and support them to the best of my ability.”

“I just had to imagine seeing my guys succeed and go all the way. That is what kept me going and lifted my spirits.”

Even with the injuries, the good will outweighed the bad in his Tipp career. He noted he will always cherish his classmates who lined up with him every week, wearing the red and white and playing Red Devil football.

“I would say our senior class was special because we all had our minds set on the same goal,” Deckard said. “Aside from that, everyone in our class just has such a close bond and connection with one another. In my opinion, more than most other high school classes, and that correlates to the field.”

“Everyone trusted each other and held one another accountable. We do so many things off the field together that not many people get to see, team bible studies, team breakfast, pre-game bonfires.”

“Coming out of eighth grade, we didn't have a very good season, but after freshman season ended, I think everyone kind of realized we could be legit. We all had the drive and motivation to achieve the same goal. I would also credit Coach Burgbacher for the close knit relationship of our class. Every time you walk onto the field, the locker room, the weight room, Coach is really the glue that makes us feel like a family. I feel like our senior class is especially close with him, bringing everyone together even more.”

But for Deckard, it was more than wins and losses. His time with the Red Devils was very special for him as he reflected back on his time with Tipp football.

“Something that made my years here so special would have to be the culture and atmosphere that we have here at Tipp,” he said. “We are a small city that everyone likes to overlook until they have to play us. It seems like we were the underdogs every year, and yet proved people wrong every year.”

“The factors that drove me this far was one, realizing that you're on that field to have fun. So you might as well give everything you have, you only get 40 guaranteed games in your high school career. You better make the most of it and leave no regrets. And going back to the bond of our team, I think that's what helped me, and a lot of my other teammates, be dialed and driven. There's no better feeling than being out there with your best friends and doing the thing you love the most. It's also a lot easier to stay so driven with a great coaching staff.”

“One of the best things about our team and coaches is that we love to have fun, but we are very quick to get dialed in at the right time. The one thing that really kept me going above all is God above all things.”