Most of the state’s high schools are getting ready to play football tonight. Among those in action are two small-town schools with much more than a game on their minds. South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s Gary Ellenbolt reports.
Platte-Geddes plays at Gregory tonight. The Black Panthers are coming off a loss to Wolsey-Wessington a week ago; but one player recently lost much more. Platte-Geddes senior Jason Hofer lost both his parents. They were in their mid-40s and died in separate incidents within weeks of one another. The Black Panthers head coach, Mark Aisenbrey says those who hear the story are making sure the young man is taken care of.
Aisenbrey says, “You know, they’re definitely rallying around him—they’re doing what they can to support and help him any way they can. You know, raising all that money; they’ll give it to him so he can go to different stores and get some groceries, they’ll give him some money to go to a doctor if he needs to see a doctor, things like that.”
At last week’s game, fans from Platte-Geddes and Wolsey-Wessington raised more than 10 thousand dollars to help Jason, who’s older brother is serving as his guardian.
On the other side of the state, hearts are especially heavy in Kadoka. In April, Kougar football player McKenzie Stilwell was killed in a traffic accident. Last weekend, the school lost another student, with the death of Trevor Torkelson. Kadoka’s coach, Chad Eisenbraun, says both families are being cared for as the community grieves with the families.
According to Eisenbraun, “They’re creating a big welcome sign at our big sports complex, out at the field—and they’re kinda doing that in honor of McKenzie. The community support behind McKenzie and his family, and the other young man and his family—I mean, the toughest times are here, but the community support has been tremendous.”
Kadoka is coming off last week’s loss at New Underwood—the Kougars are home tonight against Philip.