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It’s been one month since two teenagers in Willow Springs died in a car accident. Both boys played on the school’s football team. Friday, the team and community honored them before the season’s first game against Strafford.
On Tuesday, July 30th, Senior Zach White, number 81 and junior Jonah Smith, number 12, passed away following a car accident just a few miles west of Willow Springs.
It happened hours after one of the teams first summer practices.
“I think they’ve done a great job of coming together and helping each other out. They’re all there for one another, just like us coaches are there for them,” Willow Springs head coach Logan Schwalm told KY3.
During his pregame speech, coach Schwalm told his players to play like Zach and Jonah.
“Win, lose or draw, I want you to go out there and play to your potential,” Schwalm told the team.
A pregame prayer brought the team together before battle.
“We get to play it for two young men that aren’t here tonight, God.”
Before the game, the entire stadium paused for a moment of silence.
The team carried each players’ jersey out for the pregame coin toss.
Zach’s number 81 and Jonah’s number 12, were on each player’s jersey.
The end zones, normally blank, dawned the boy’s numbers.
“We’ve got each of the kids’ numbers in the end zones just as a tribute for them. They’re always with us and they are always with the boys on the team,” Schwalm added.
Coach says the community’s love has brought everyone closer together.
“There’s so many things that people have done that nobody sees or hears of and I know all the boys in the locker room and our coaches and all the people involved in the program are very grateful for all the support they’ve given our boys,” Schwalm explained.
The 2019 season is dedicated in the boys’ honor.
“All heart, can’t lose. All heart, can’t lose. All heart, can’t lose,” the players chanted in the locker room.
