Frankston High School senior Bryson Bacon conducts the marching band's halftime show at the varsity football game Friday Sept. 25, 2015. Bacon is a drum major and also plays on the football team.

The buzzer signaling halftime sounds, and 18-year-old Bryson Bacon throws off his shoulder pads and rushes to the sideline to ead the Frankston High School Marching Band.

Bacon, a senior, not only plays on the offensive and defensive lines of the varsity football team but also is the marching band’s drum major.

“It’s been really great being able to get out there and do both events, because I love both so much,” Bacon said.

Before the season began, Bacon’s passion led him to ask his band director and football coaches if there was any way to compromise, so he wouldn’t have to choose between the two.

“I was thrilled, because we love to see our students succeed in all avenues. We share students,” Band Director Heather Chitty said. “I’ve always had football players in the band, but none as a drum major.”

Bacon is familiar with the challenge of balancing priorities. In addition to band and football, he also is the president of the student council, participates in Future Farmers of America and Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a member of the National Honor Society.

“It’s really interesting; we’ve got a lot of teamwork going on between the coaches and the band director,” Bacon said. “We have to work together really good for me to be able to do both those activities at the same time. Especially during football games.”

Bacon said he does occasionally miss band practice, but he tries to make up for it later in the week.

“He is a really good, well-rounded kid,” Mrs. Chitty said. “He’s involved in many activities and he takes all of them very seriously. He excels and achieves.”

As football season comes to a close, Bacon already has plans for spring. His time will be split between baseball, livestock shows and band.

Of course, he’ll also be preparing to transition to college life. Bacon will be attending Texas A&M for business school. He said agricultural scholarships will help.

“(My parents) are really proud of me; they push me to do the things that I love,” he said. “It’s been awesome having them make sure I can balance the things that I love.”

TWITTER: @TMT_Cory