Rabbit hunt honors former Clyde athlete Brian Wilkerson

CLYDE — After former standout Clyde athlete Brian Wilkerson died in a single-vehicle crash last summer, his family considered how to best use money donated in Brian's memory.They settled on something Brian, who was only 21, would appreciate.The Wilkerson family and friends hosted the first annual Pheasants Forever Brian Wilkerson Memorial Youth Rabbit Hunt on Dec. 14. Wilkerson's dad, Bill, called the day "fantastic.""We could've given (money) to other things, but Brian really seemed to enjoy this youth hunt. He participated in this last year and helped the kids, so we took the money and donated it to Pheasants Forever (Seneca County chapter)," Bill said.The names of four boys, ages 10-12, were drawn from a hat to determine who would get two hunting slots in the morning and two in the afternoon. Bill, his son Mac and family friend and hunting buddy Dave Bruns took the boys into the field at Miller Conservation Farm near Tiffin. It was the boys' first experience of hunting with dogs."They only got one rabbit but they all got shots at rabbits," Bill said. "It's not as easy as they think."More than 20 family members and friends attended a luncheon that bridged the morning and afternoon sessions. Brian's mom, Beth, organized the lunch and Bruns spoke about Brian, a 2016 Clyde graduate who was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Fliers football team. He also participated in track & field and basketball.Brian was a sophomore at Clyde during football coach Ryan Carter's first year leading the program. He was inserted into the starting lineup early in the season against Bellevue when the starting left tackle was injured during pregame drills."We were like, 'Big Wilky, you're in,' " Carter recalled. "He didn't miss a start after that night. Phenomenal family and a phenomenal kid. He didn't say very much but he was ultra-intelligent."Wilkerson, who was 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds as a senior, will "always be a part of our Fliers family," said Carter.Brian's brother Mac played basketball at Clyde for Carter and was an assistant coach in football in charge of defensive backs.Bill is looking forward to building on this year's event that honored his son, who enjoyed the outdoors and the challenge of hunting."It couldn't have gone any better. It was nice that they let us use that conservation area," Bill said. "We'll do it every year after deer season and before Christmas. It works out pretty well."The first annual Pheasants Forever Brian Wilkerson Memorial Youth Rabbit Hunt was held Dec. 14. Two of the youth participants were, from row from left: Keaton Bour and Andon Clouse. Dads and hunt organizers, back row: Gabe Bour, Bill Wilkerson, Brian Clouse, Mac Wilkerson and Dave Bruns. Brian Wilkerson with his parents Bill and Beth on Clyde football's Senior Night in 2015.Keaton Bour got a rabbit at the first annual Pheasants Forever Brian Wilkerson Memorial Youth Rabbit Hunt on Dec. 14.Brian Wilkerson, center, with his brother Mac and dad Bill at last year's youth rabbit hunt.