This is a story of how one Fluco athlete turned a life-changing injury into an example of leadership, discipline, and inspiration.

A Painful Detour

Most people only learn to walk once in their lifetime, but for sophomore Dawson Raines, a soccer player turned standout kicker for the FCHS football team, the road of life took a painful detour. During the Jefferson District Championship football game against Louisa County in 2024, a routine kick became a life-changing moment when Raines broke his leg in two places, proving that his battle would be tougher than most.

Dawson grew up playing soccer and played for the school soccer team in both 8th and 9th grade. This year, he is unable to play spring soccer as his leg is still injured, so he plans to let it heal so that he can play football next season.

“I grew up playing soccer and have played since fifth grade, but last season I was starting to get bored with the sport as a whole because I felt like it lost its spark. I was interested in playing football because I had a lot of friends who played it. One day, Coach Brandon Townes asked me to kick,” said Raines.

“During the regular season, the team played really well—we went undefeated the whole time, including our last game. We were all super hyped for the championship,” Raines continued,” but when I stepped up to kick the ball like normal, one of the other players ran offside, and as the ball was snapped… so was my leg. I ended up breaking two bones—my tibia and fibula,” he added.

He felt that what could have been a memorable moment in his young career turned into a different but character-building journey. After the kick, Dawson was taken off the field on a golf cart and transported to the hospital by an ambulance. The injury shocked both teams and fans, casting a heavy mood over the championship game.

The Recovery Journey

When asked about recovering from the injury, Raines said, “I won’t lie—there were definitely some tough moments when it felt like the road ahead was never-ending or at least gonna take forever. When I first broke my leg, I couldn’t imagine how long the recovery process would be, or if I would ever feel the same again. But every day, I made sure to remind myself why I’m doing this: to get back on the field next season and help my team. It’s probably been one of the hardest challenges I have had for sure, definitely physically and also mentally, but I’m not one to give up easily,” he said.

Dawson shared that every time he felt like giving up he remembered how good it felt to bring the team success during the season.

“Athletes are defined by how they respond, not when they are winning, but in their lowest moments. I’ve learned so much about discipline, and that’s something I’m going to carry with me for the rest of my life. As for next season, I’m hoping to come back stronger. The football team has been a huge motivation and support system for me—they have helped me through this whole journey, and I want to give my support back,” Raines said.

While recovering, he kept a positive outlook, and his dedication has remained strong. He says he’s taking things day by day and is focused on healing and returning stronger. Many of his football teammates have noticed his effort.

“I looked up to see the ball, and I saw [Raines’] leg go into the opponent’s helmet,” said sophomore teammate Brody Shields. “It was awful. But he’s working very hard. Every morning, he’s hitting legs, gaining strength, and getting better. Even when he was recovering, all he wanted was to get back on the field,” he added.

During his recovery, Raines had many friends to help support him, such as Turner Gretz.

“We used to go to Short Pump and fish together, but after the injury, I noticed a change in his attitude. It wasn’t just the injury—it was the sudden shift in what he could do. But even then, he kept a great sense of humor. I loved making the most of our time together—whether it was wheeling him outside to his car or sharing burgers a few days later. Dawson is the bomb, and he has the strength to get through anything,” Gretz said.

Raines’ recovery so far is a tribute to his perseverance and discipline. From the very beginning, he faced setbacks that would have discouraged many, but he never gave up, staying committed through pain and long hours of rehab. Since then, he has his eyes set on more than just returning to the field. His ultimate goal is to play football at the collegiate level, specifically at the University of West Virginia, where both of his parents are alumni. Growing up hearing about the experiences his parents had at the school and taking vacations to the surrounding areas, Raines developed a connection with school. The thought of continuing his education and athletic career at that same school has been his dream since he started playing football.

“It’s always been a goal to play there. My parents went there, and it’s a place that’s close to my heart,” Raines shared.

Involvement with the Soccer Team

On the soccer side of things, Dawson is managing the JV and varsity teams this year, as he is unable to play. Many players on the team appreciate Dawson’s commitment to the team, as well as the positive attitude and insight he brings to every game and practice.

“Not being able to play this spring was tough because I know I could have helped the team, especially if I were on JV. Soccer has always been such a big part of my life, so sometimes it is hard not being on the field. But I’m focusing on healing, so I can come back next year ready to contribute to the teams in the best way I can,” said Raines.

Teammates like junior Sean Southall have taken notice of the positive energy Raines brings to the sidelines. “Dawson motivates the team, and he is always willing to be there for us when we need him. Honestly, he is the best manager I have ever seen. Whether it is a pep talk before a big game or guidance after a tough practice, he is always pushing us to become better players and better versions of ourselves,” he shared.

Echoing that sentiment, junior soccer player Hadon Hartung said, “Dawson is able to keep spirits light and cheer people up when they’re down. Dawson is a great manager who keeps us focused and helps us push through our losses, and helps us regain confidence to help us try harder next time.”

Even the younger players on the team feel his influence. Freshman Maxwell Cantagallo shared a more heartfelt example: “Dawson is very motivating. One time at my house, I can recall he escaped ‘the Jonkler’, also known as Turner Gretz. During soccer season last week, he motivated me to play harder and focus on playing precision clearances to the coach’s DoorDash [the coach’s food that he keeps on the bench], basically to practice my accuracy, which has helped me improve exponentially. Due to Dawson’s helpfulness and key role as the manager, our team passes the ball around like a stick of bubble gum.”

Away From the Game
Outside of sports, Dawson is known for his involvement in the Student Council, where he is the current class president of the class of 2027. In his free time, he enjoys going to the gym, spending time with friends, and practicing football outside.

“Whenever I have some free time, I often go outside and kick into a kicking net. If it is rainy outside, I will go to the gym or a friend’s house. The first day that I got my boot off, Kyle picked me up and drove me over to the field, and we just kicked for an hour. I was struggling to get the hang of it, but before I broke my leg, I had taught Kyle how to kick, so he helped me with re-learning the mechanics of kicking,” Raines shared.

Peter Fulk, another member of the Student Council, said that Raine’s gift of leadership and inspiration doesn’t just take place on the football field. “He brings the same positive energy that he is known for, and he always encourages everyone to be their best selves and work together. His leadership is not just about giving people directions; it is also about making everyone feel like they are a part of something bigger than just themselves. After all these years of knowing him, one thing that I know for sure is that he is a leader who brings people together,” said Fulk.

Fellow class officer Noah Bowman said that Raines sets a positive example for his peers.

“His love empowers me to strive to be a better person and try to love my neighbor. He taught me that leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge. One of my favorite quotes from him is ‘If you stand behind me, I will protect you. If you stand beside me, I’ll fight with you. But if you stand against me, I will dismiss you,’” said Bowman.