Powell boy, 9, vies for Sports Illustrated honor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio nine-year-old boy is trying to use his talents on the soccer field to earn a nice chunk of change for his college fund and for recognition as the Sports Illustrated Youth Athlete of the Year.

Noah Francis, from Powell, is already a quarterfinalist for the Youth Athlete of the Year, winning a regional competition and vote. To win, Noah needs more votes than his competitors, with the goal of raising money for charity.

Noah loves playing his favorite sport, soccer, with the Classics Eagles Soccer Club. He showed us his skills at Liberty Park in Powell, and he's got a pretty powerful left foot. He also loves basketball. The reason he wears number 30 is for his favorite basketball player, Stephen Curry.

When asked what he loves most about soccer, Noah answered, “The friends I make and the amount of fun… just kicking the ball and scoring those goals.”

Noah's mother, Jennifer Francis, thought it would be a fun idea to submit Noah for the contest.

"He is just so athletic,” Jennifer said. “He loves sports, he loves the competition, and he loves the friends that he's made. I hope that he learns teamwork. I hope he learns honesty, perseverance. And I just hope he's happy."

Noah said he is excited for the chance to win a $25,000 prize and raise money for charity.

"It helps me out a lot. And I feel thankful," he said of all those who have supported him.

Noah is currently in fifth place in the voting; to vote for Noah, visit his athlete of the year page by clicking here.

The competition raises money for the V Foundation, fighting cancer, and the Why Not Foundation, which fights poverty.

The Athlete of the Year contest collects votes until Thursday, Sept. 18, at 10 p.m.