In sports, it takes resiliency and mental toughness to overcome obstacles. It’s easy to give up when times get tough, rather than pushing forward and putting in the extra effort to get back into the fold. If anyone has shown that mental fortitude and understands setbacks, it is Trevor Ridley.

The wide receiver and defensive back’s junior season with the Guilford football team got off to an all-too-familiar painful start, with him getting hurt during a team organized camp. Coming off a lost freshman season due to COVID and a sidelined sophomore year due to injury, Trevor was participating in a blocking drill when he lost his balance and stuck his arm out to brace his fall.

“It just snapped,” recalls Trevor.

For the second time in 11 months, Trevor had broken his arm.

“I broke it millimeters away from the original break,” Trevor says. “I knew after the X-rays. At the time, I was kind of in shock. I was engaged in a block, and I just kind of fell over (my teammate). I just put my hands out to stop my fall.”

After missing roughly a month, including one game, following surgery, Trevor returned wearing a protective brace. He contributed both offensively and defensively, although he was obviously limited physically. Following the season, he underwent a second procedure.

“It wasn’t an issue,” Trevor says of the brace, “because I was just so happy to be playing and to get back after missing all of sophomore year. It was a situation that, ‘OK, I have to get (another surgery) done after the season, but just be thankful.’ There was a risk because the surgery involved putting a titanium plate over the break. There were pressure points where the screws are that are at risk if they are to be impacted violently. It was a little painful. I couldn’t fully rotate my arm inward. It felt restrictive. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling.”

At long last, after a long and rigorous process, Trevor is fully healthy again for his senior campaign. Better yet, he’s thriving within his own realm, needing not to worry about what he’s overcome. In addition to his impressive resume on the gridiron, Trevor also runs track for the Grizzlies, in which he has qualified for the state championship in all three of his events. Due to his own hard work, Trevor currently ranks second in the state in touchdown catches, and third on his squad in receiving yards.

On top of that, his team is enjoying a breakthrough start, sitting 5-1 after back-to-back blowouts of Bridgeport schools Harding (56-6) and Bassick (41-0). Currently fifth in the Class MM standings, Guilford has a real chance to make the state playoffs for the first time in three decades.

With his team-leading eight touchdown catches, Trevor’s been instrumental in that success.

“He’s such an impressive athlete, with his speed and athleticism,” Guilford Head Coach Brian White says. “He’s getting really serious about his craft. He’s a huge offensive weapon for us.”

Trevor wasted no time contributing, scoring a touchdown in a 41-0 rout of Lyman Hall to open the season.

“It was a surreal experience, finally getting back and doing what I love, just getting back there with the boys,” says Trevor. “And we got the (win), so that made it even sweeter.”

Despite breaking his arm twice, Trevor no longer has any trepidations about his health. He’s back to full strength, squarely focused on finishing his senior season strong and getting Guilford back to the postseason. That’s a relief, to say the least.

“I haven’t had to deal with any drama with it,” Trevor says. “It’s just been a stress-free year. I’ve been able to focus on the team and myself. I don’t have to worry about (my injury), essentially. We’re playing well.”

The way White sees it, it’s a credit to Trevor’s mental fortitude.

“The uncertainty can (affect) you,” White says. “For Trevor’s credit, he’s shown a lot of maturity.”

Trevor’s future in football is bright. He’s already secured offers from numerous Division III schools, including the University of Rochester and University of New England. Sooner than later, he’ll be deciding where to play next. He’s grateful to be in that position, given what he’s gone through.

“It’s everything I’ve worked for,” Trevor says of playing collegiately. “It’s always been a dream of mine, a goal. Those setbacks, I didn’t know how it would affect my recruiting process. Through hard work and dedication, I was able to achieve that.”

First things first, Trevor has unfinished business to settle. Guilford has four games remaining in the regular season, starting with a trip to East Haven. It may need to win out to secure a bid for the first time since 1993, White’s freshman season with the team. Guilford made the MM State Championship game that year, losing 44-14 to Ledyard.

“Basically, we’re in the playoffs now,” White says. “Every week, if you lose, you’re done. Your chances for the postseason are over. We’re playing for a spot. The problem (in the past) is, we’ve been good enough to have good teams, but we’ve always kind of missed. If we’re going to get past that this year, it’s going to take a monster finish.”

As Trevor knows, nothing is too big to overcome – in more ways than one.