Bill Helliwell decided to give high school one more shot.

Now, he’s giving college a shot.

During his freshman year of high school, Helliwell decided school was not for him, and for the last month of the year he didn’t attend, instead getting a full-time job that he worked at throughout that summer.

Toward the end of the summer, Helliwell decided to give the classroom a final chance, and that year he found the football field.

Through his gridiron participation, Helliwell learned dedication that transcended his position as a defensive tackle.

“Football changed my life, which is why I have such a respect for the sport,” said Helliwell, who wound up on the honor roll and graduated with high honors. “It wasn’t just about playing a game. Football changed me as a person.”

Python head coach Tom Babaian instilled the work ethic that helped Helliwell on the football field, and the mentor also kept an eye on the tackle in the hallways of the school to make sure he was staying out of trouble.

“Coach rode us hard,” said Helliwell. “He would be on our case, and he’d tell us that when you’re tired, you don’t give up. You will not stop, because you’re going for that one goal. I applied that to everything, and that’s what made me realize that school wasn’t that difficult.”

One of Helliwell’s closest Python teammates was star running back Bruce Vieira, as the two developed a friendship while training together each summer.

“Coach was a big factor in (Helliwell’s progress),” said Vieira. “He always pushed Bill to his limits and a little bit past them. He could have given up on Bill from the get go, but he gave him a chance and it paid off with him becoming an allstate player.”

Helliwell’s high school career culminated with a berth in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl, where he earned a starting spot.

Thanks to his hard work in the classroom and participation in night classes to make up for the time he missed, Helliwell will also be attending Husson University, where he will play football.

Though Vermont’s offensive line during the Shrine Bowl implemented a different strategy than Helliwell was accustomed to, he was still able to apply pressure during New Hampshire’s 40-6 victory on Saturday, August 1.

“For throwing a team together in two weeks, we did a great job of meshing together as a team,” said Helliwell, who also said he’s ready to take the field for Husson after his Shrine experience. “I’ve got the football fever now.”

Helliwell admitted he was tired in the first half, but got his legs underneath him and came out strong in the second half, getting penetration and recording several tackles. Seeing his friend named to the game had a big impact on Vieira.

“The path he took was quite a path, going from where he was to making the Shrine Bowl,” said Vieira. “Being a part of that and helping him in school and football really was something that meant a lot to me as well.”

The victory was secondary for Helliwell, who was excited to have been named to the team because it signified just how far he had come.

“A few years ago nobody would believe that I’d make it to the Shrine Bowl when nobody thought I was going to be anything,” said Helliwell. “It was the best day of my life.”