Wearing their hearts on their back
By Deb GauArticle Photos
COTTONWOOD - On the first week of a new school year, the Lakeview junior high football players had more to show off than new school clothes. On Thursday afternoon, the seventh- and eighth-graders were doing warm-ups and running drills in crisp, new jerseys and pants.
"It's a good way to start the season," said player Mallory Meyer.
"They're really nice," several teammates added.
But while the uniforms are new, they also carry a special meaning.
They were donated by the families of Jesse Javens and Reed Stevens, two of the Lakeview students killed in the school bus crash earlier this year. Both boys played football at Lakeview.
Ordering and donating the uniforms "just seemed like the right thing to do," said Kandy Stevens, Reed's mother, on Thursday. She and Rita Javens, Jesse's mother, said their families knew the seventh and eighth grade teams had wanted new uniforms, and they felt close to the kids in Lakeview's "football family."
"And together we were able to do more," Stevens said, adding pants to new jerseys for the teams.
It took all summer for the new jerseys to be printed, Stevens and Javens said. The players received them Saturday.
"They just love 'em," Javens said.
"I think the kids are really excited," Stevens said.
The new uniforms seemed to be a hit with the players on Thursday.
"They fit better. And they're reversible," said Travis Varpness, flipping the hem of his jersey up to show white on one side, and blue on the other.
"It's better than having two jerseys," for home and away games, teammate Steven Timm said.
"You only have to wash one," Josh Myrvik joked.
Kandy Stevens said the families got the idea to go with reversible jerseys after seeing similar ones at a game against RTR.
The team's new uniform pants also have pads built in, which is a little more convenient for players.
"They don't have to try and find missing pieces," Javens said.
Dan and Kandy Stevens and Marty and Rita Javens were at practice on Thursday to give players another remembrance of Jesse and Reed. First the eighth-graders, then the seventh-graders lined up to get player number stickers - 52 for Jesse and a 75 for Reed - placed on the backs of their helmets.
It was an emotional experience for both the parents and many of the players. They shared hugs, tears and words of encouragement. The Lakeview varsity and junior varsity players also received stickers later that afternoon.
Jesse and Reed's numbers will be officially retired in a ceremony Saturday, eighth-grade football coach Ray Pederson said.
"We're grateful to the Stevens and Javens families," Pederson said. "This is something they wanted to do, and the kids were very receptive to it."
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volemt
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09-05-08 2:04 PM
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I sooo wish females played football when I was in high school. My best friend and I played all the time at recess, but that's all. This is such a cool story. I bet it's really great for the kids. Way to go.
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longjammer
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09-05-08 11:57 AM
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Females play football now?
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Williams
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09-05-08 9:42 AM
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Heartwarming!
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rangeral
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09-05-08 9:40 AM
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Life always goes on but never forget the past. Remember the important things and forget the trivial. Take time out today to hug those who you love, call someone you have been meaning to contact and do some act of kindness for someone who needs your help.
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