Every once in a while, a sports team catches our imagination... and takes us for a great ride.

This next story, reported by David Schechter, takes us inside one such football team.

You're never heard of them before... but you'll have trouble forgetting Thomas Murray and his team.  Because, not only is Thomas Murray the captain of the Southlake Dragons junior football team.  He's also the heart of the team.

It’s not because he's not the best player on the team.

It’s because Thomas has autism.

"I always try my best.  And that's how we win.  We always try our best.  Okay,” said Thomas.

Thomas has a high-functioning form of autism called Asperger's Disorder. Symptoms include eccentric behavior and an unusual speech pattern.  But this 9-year old's IQ is normal.

He's in a regular classroom... just a year behind in reading.  His math skills are good and he's above average at eating pretzel's in class—which he does a lot.

"I think, he thinks, he's normal.  And I think, he thinks, we're probably a little weird,” said his mother Anne.

But it's on the football field that Thomas seems happiest.

This is Thomas' second season on the team.

Coach Mike Stallings says, early last year, Thomas took a big hit in practice and didn't want to get back on the field.

"I went and told the boys right then, that, hey, all you boys are special but Thomas is more special. And I need for you to take care of Thomas," said Stallings.

They did just that.

Looking out for Thomas made this team better instead of holding it back.

"You want the kids to become better kids.  Better people. And I think that's what Thomas has meant to me.  And I think that's what he's meant to the team," said Stallings.

"Aha. Yep,” agreed Thomas, even if he's not always in the right place, at the right time.

He plays hard.  

"He brings a lot of heart to the team," says teammate Brady Stallings.

He inspires.

And the team still made the playoffs on some good-looking football.  Though Thomas thinks there's another reason they beat other teams this season.

"Maybe they were scared of me," said Thomas.

"Well, I mean.  He's special.  And as parent you want your kids to do good.  But him, you really want him to do good.  And his success.  When he had success.  It had us feeling prouder," said the coach.

Thomas would like to play again next year.

But the other kids in the Thomas' league get bigger and stronger.

Coach says, next summer, he'll evaluate whether Thomas can continue to play without being injured.

E-mail dschechter@wfaa.com.