No Room For Failure
The pressure was on. Finally, the night that Bishop Gorman High had been waiting for; this was our chance to finally prove to the state of Nevada that we belonged in the 4A division. For years our football team had been trying to prove to the public schools that we were actual contenders in the race for state, but year after year the other schools would massacre us in one of the final games. Not this year though, this time it was our year to go all the way and take the title for ourselves. I must say that as a school we were pretty cocky. All of us could picture the giant red and gold trophy proudly displayed in the glass container outside of our library and the addition of a second football state banner hanging in the school gym next to the generations of other banners.
I knew that we were going to win; it was inevitable. Why? We had Lucas McMichael. Not only was he the number one football and basketball player in the state but he was also ranked as one of the top running backs in the nation. Lucas had it all: speed, agility and strength. He was built like a tank, just under 6 feet 7 inches and a good 260 pounds. He was completely invincible on the field and on the court.
Lucas was a local celebrity. Every time I went out with him someone would approach us and congratulate him on last weeks game. By the time our senior year came, my friends and I were used to the constant staring and gawking; it became a regular thing. Lucas was an amazing athlete and I believe that he deserved every good thing that came to him. He worked hard for his accomplishments and still was able to stay the genuine person that he was. But the night that we had all been waiting for, the night that Lucas had waited for, everything changed.
On September 5, 2008, a member of the opposing team struck Lucas in the back with his helmet during a routine play. The other player got up with no difficulties, but Lucas did not move. As the entire stadium watched...