These are the columns a sports scribe never wants to write but understands in certain cases it is a must. This is absolutely one of those times.

  The recent passing of local high school football coaching icon Bobby Wells of course brings perspective to us all. Having shaped the lives of many young men over the years while coaching at Smyrna, Blackman, and Riverdale, Wells was a guy you could always look up to, not because of his larger stature, but because of his tremendous character. Guys who coach high school football are a special breed and Bobby Wells was every bit that. Money is never the object as the stipends are small and the hours committed are large. For these guys, it is about competition, pride, commitment, and a true love of football.

  As a guy that first met Wells in the early 1990s when I first began covering local high school football, I can make a true statement. People like Bobby Wells are why I am still an avid attendee on Friday nights. His passion for the game and dedication to those he coached were off the charts. Typifying what makes high school football great, Bobby Wells was a monumental example for over three decades. As a man that will be both remembered and missed by many, I offer a salute to you Bobby Wells. God bless your soul and rest in peace.