After scoring a touchdown to extend its lead to 26-0 on Thursday, the South Summit High School football team did not attempt the extra point. Instead, the players stood together on the sideline and pointed to the scoreboard.
No, the Wildcats were not boasting about their large lead. They were honoring their teammate, No. 26 Porter Hancock, who is paralyzed from the chest down.
"I didn’t know what we were even doing at first, but then I knew as soon as I looked," quarterback Matt Rydalch told The Salt Lake Tribune. "It's funny how that number keeps popping up. Last week we won by 26. It reminds us that we're staying strong for Porter."
During South Summit's Oct. 7 game, Hancock received his first start of the season at linebacker. In the third quarter, Hancock dislocated his neck while making a tackle and has been hospitalized since. Doctors are not sure whether the paralysis will be permanent or not. What is encouraging is that Hancock is able to breathe and speak on his own.
Many schools and members of the area have raised funds for Hancock. South Summit held a silent auction in which all proceeds went toward a fund for Hancock. Other schools have helped raise money as well. Grand High School, the team the Wildcats would defeat 33-0 on Thursday, raised $1,200.
An estimated $60,000 has been raised so far for Hancock's fund.
