As his Granite Bay High football teammates were piecing together a winning effort over Nevada Union on a cool Friday night, 18-year-old special education student Travis Bauer was in the midst of his weekly ritual — standing on the Grizzlies sideline, cheering on his teammates.

Then came the chants from his own bench.

“Travis!, Travis!, Travis!”

With 23 seconds left in the game, Grizzlies coach Skip Albano called a timeout and gave the Granite Bay senior the opportunity of a lifetime on Senior Night.

Bauer took a handoff from quarterback Josh Neal, followed a block by Kirk McKeon and rumbled 76 yards in 15 seconds for a Granite Bay touchdown on the first snap of his prep career.

The home stands erupted in celebration and Bauer was mobbed by both Granite Bay and Nevada Union players who had followed his scoring jaunt. Both benches stormed the field and Bauer absorbed a barrage of helmet slaps, high-fives and hugs.

The collective elation in support of the Granite Bay senior who was diagnosed with autism was an incredible sight for football fans, requiring the gracious cooperation of Nevada Union players and coaches.

Travis comes from a family of seven children. When he was young, Travis was diagnosed under the autism spectrum, but according to his mother, Haylee Bauer-Grant, it was only the best guess professionals could give.

“It’s hard not knowing,” Bauer Grant said. “Not being able to help.”

Growing up, he was upbeat and social, which isn’t typical for those diagnosed with Autism. He had trouble voicing or coming up with the right thoughts, but that never kept Bauer from hearty interactions and did little to quell his passion for football.

In seventh grade, Bauer joined the flag football team at Cavitt Jr. High in Granite Bay, after the encouragement of teacher/

coach Mark Martinez.

“I had him for four periods,” Martinez said, “That just created a natural accord with me being a coach and a sports fan, which probably made him more confident to come out and play.”

Bauer played defense and quickly realized his affection for the gridiron. He said he wanted to continue being part of a football program at Granite Bay, but it wasn’t an easy decision for his mother to approve.

“I didn’t think the team would let him play, because football players are tough,” Bauer-Grant said. “I was concerned they would make fun of him.”

Instead, Bauer-Grant said players at Granite Bay brought Bauer under their wing. He was proud to wear the uniform and they were proud to have him.

“We have to hand it to the coaches, too, for making Travis feel a part of the team,” said Granite Bay athletic secretary Terri Keeney.

Granite Bay plays host Tokay in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs on Nov. 15. During the game, you can find No. 58 waving his arms, cheering his teammates on and amplifying the team morale. He was a big part of Granite Bay’s push to an SJS, NorCal and state title last year.

“I like it,” Bauer said on Tuesday, “We’re good. We kicked butt at Sac-State (section finals).”

Bauer was proudly wielding the state championship ring on Tuesday. He made sure to wave a few gestures with the gaudy accessory gleaming from his hand.

“Travis is one of the guys,” Albano said. “There are select things he does — run routes, catch passes.

“He fits in. He’s just Travis.”

Bauer has been with the same group of students since the fourth grade. They share a tight bond.

“He’s grown a lot since freshman year,” senior running back Michael Geraghty said. “You couldn’t understand him at first — he was all over the place; but now he’s able to piece together sentences.

“He always talks about football, especially in the offseason. He’s friends with everyone.”

“It has been a positive experience to teach and watch Travis grow up through his high school years,” Granite Bay special education teacher Sara Quinby added. “He has become more confident and social from his freshman to se-nior year, which is probably due to him maturing and being at such an accepting and open environment at GBHS.

“The students have embraced Travis and other students with special needs. It is a great thing to witness and experience.”

Two weeks before Senior Night, Bauer took home the honor of being named Granite Bay’s Homecoming King beside longtime friend Lauren Bracket.

Before the game against Nevada Union, Albano pulled aside Bauer-Grant and gave her the thrilling news — Bauer was going in on the last play of the game.

“We talked about it earlier in the week in a staff meeting,” Albano said, “We talked about lining him up at receiver, but we decided that we wanted to give him the ball.”

Albano said he cleared the play with Nevada Union coach Dennis Houlihan.

“Nevada Union knew it. The press box knew it,” Albano said, “As we walked out with him, Nevada Union asked if it was the play. I said, ‘yes’, and everyone followed him in and met up with him in the end zone.”

“I scored a touchdown,” Bauer added proudly.

The play drew a surge of emotion across the stadium.

One of the Nevada Union coaches approached Bauer and his mother after the game.

“He said, ‘You know, it was worth coming just to see that,’” Bauer-Grant said. “Nevada Union was so graceful for that.”

Keeney said that she got teary-eyed when she saw Nevada Union joining the chanting, cheering and celebration when Bauer scored.

“We were excited for him,” Geraghty chipped in. “We were chasing him down. Everyone respects Nevada Union for doing what they did for him.”

Bauer’s future in athletics is unclear, but nothing will erase the memory of his friends at his side on a 76-yard run to glory.

Source: http://www.thepresstribune.com/article/run-remember-granite-bay-senior-gallops-inspiring-football-finish#.UoVUt4uLwyc.facebook