It will be an emotional evening for members of the Plymouth High School Football team.
Players did not practice Monday following the death of a fellow teammate. Coach John Barron says that when the team hops on the bus to travel to Syracuse, the situation is not about the score.
“It’s about them having the courage to face this kind of adversity,” says Barron. “Just to put a helmet and shoulder pads on again and play a football game.”
Coach Barron says the thought crossed his mind to cancel this week’s game given the circumstances, but he says getting permission to play from the parents meant a lot to the team.
The Plymouth High School football team is undefeated in five games, this season. 17-year-old David Bacon led the team in tackles. His funeral took place Thursday evening.
Barron reported members of the Plymouth football roster took the news hard, but are beginning to slowly improve from the initial shock of the news throughout the week. He says there were places he, as a coach, could turn as well.
“I’m so proud of our assistant coaches to be there for our kids and listen to them and what they want and try to honor David the way that they want to honor David,” says Barron. “It’s not about us, it’s about how they want to honor their teammate.”
Plymouth High School has been offering counselors for students affected by the situation.
A number 23 sticker will be placed on the Rockies’ helmets. Bacon’s jersey will also travel with the team for the remainder of the season.
