ABILENE, Texas (KTAB) – For Wylie ISD football players, it’s the young fans who help keep them motivated.

For Wylie High School Junior, Austin Green, knowing he’s setting an example for his little, Evan Hale, is a big motivation both on and off the field. Evan adopted Austin through the schools Adopt-a-Bulldog program.

“It’s a commitment to mentor that child throughout the duration of the football season,” Shawndalyn Myers says.

Austin has now been on both sides of that commitment, first as a little and now as a big.

“I can remember when I was his age playing in the grass field in the south end, watching my Bulldog play,” Austin recalls.

Austins mom, Shelly, says being part of the program pushed Austin to achieve his goals.

“It really inspired him to be better with his football,” she says. “And just to achieve his goal and play on varsity, which he has done.”

Austin says he hopes to inspire Evan and other young Bulldogs to continue to reach for their dreams.

“We play for the generations that have come through and we set the standard for the players that are coming up that look up to us like Evan does,” Austin says.

As for Evan, he loves cheering on his Bulldog every Friday night.

“He isn’t really scared, he just plays from heart and he has fun,” Evan says. “I see his excitement,” Evans mom, Krista Hale says. “He loves to come out to the games, he’ll watch and find his bulldog and find his number and say, “There’s Austin!”

Parents pay for their child to adopt a Bulldog. That money goes to the booster club to provide a scholarship at the end of the school year.