LOCKHART, Texas —  As the 5A and 6A high schools around Texas get ready to return to playing games next week, this week served as final preparation for many of them.

What You Need To Know

  • Lockhart held scrimmage at home stadium

  • Bastrop fumbled the ball on purpose

  • Allowed student to score touchdown

For Lockhart, that meant a scrimmage at their home stadium Thursday night against Bastrop. It was a normal setup between the teams, a few game-like situations, some more controlled practice reps and then there was the ending.

For weeks Todd Moebes, the head football coach at Lockhart, had been planning a special moment for the final play of this scrimmage.

“To be able to create these opportunities through a game, through a platform,” says Moebes. “This is what it’s about, it’s pretty priceless.”

The plan had been laid out and communicated to both teams. Bastrop would take the field on offense, while Leander would come out on defense with senior Desmond Pulliam lining up on the defensive line for the play. Bastrop would fumble the ball on purpose, allowing Desmond to pick it up. The plan worked to perfection, Pulliam scooped up the loose ball and raced the length of the field for a Lockhart touchdown.

“It was awesome,” says Pulliam. “I was hyped.”

Pulliam says he’s been playing football since he was in the seventh grade and this was his first touchdown.

“I was hearing the crowd cheering and everybody was running behind me,” says Pulliam. “I was running so fast.”

The moment was all set up as a reward for Pulliam’s years of dedication to the team and the school. Pulliam was born with autism but that hasn’t stopped him from being involved in so many different programs at Lockhart. Outside of football, he’s also a member of the Lion band and the junior ROTC program. His personality has brought positivity to all these programs.

“He hadn’t scored a touchdown ever before in his life and the same smile is on his face every single day,” says Moebes. “He’s got an infectious personality and an infectious smile.”

Waiting in the end zone when he scored, was Pulliam’s family. They knew what was planned and had a front row seat as he crossed the goal line. After being mobbed by his teammates in celebration, Desmond quickly went over to his family and hugged his mom.

“She was happy and crying,” Pulliam said.