High school rivalries are often between schools where students from one school live within a short walk of schools from the other. And while the close proximity can lead to some intense rivalries, it can also lead to some great moments – moments where rival schools come together as members of the same community.
One of those moments happened on Friday night in Ohio as Hilliard Bradley and Hilliard Davidson — crosstown rivals separated by roughly six miles — came together to give a Hilliard Davidson student a moment in the spotlight.
Before the second half officially began, the two teams ran an untimed down for Jackson Maynard, a Davidson student battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
“Jackson Maynard was asked earlier in the week, ‘Do you want to wait ’til the final home game of the year to get on the field and score a touchdown?'” Marty Bannister, who was calling the Friday Night Rivals game on CW Columbus, shared. “He said, ‘No. I want to do it against Bradley.'”
Maynard then did just that.
He took the handoff, then guided his wheelchair into the corner of the end zone, following his teammates. One teammate, Johnny DiBlasio (No. 10), even recorded the moment from the field.
A nice moment to start the second half of Friday night’s HS football game between Hilliard Bradley and Hilliard Davidson.
Play was stopped so Jackson Maynard, battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy, could score a touchdown for Hilliard Davidson. pic.twitter.com/I8CG1eaWXn
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2024
“Marty, that’s one of the beauties of sports in general,” Bannister’s broadcast partner, Ryan Baker said. “But high school sports in particular.”
Shortly after the play, sideline reporter Kellyanne Stitts interviewed Maynard’s mother, Kelly Maynard.
Jackson’s mom, Kelly Maynard:
“Normally he’s on the sidelines as their No. 1 hype man. But they always, since they were in middle school, took this opportunity to stop and let him feel what it’s like to get on the field – like he’s always wanted to do.” pic.twitter.com/yCjPZtUw9R
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2024
“He’s been friends with these boys since he was in kindergarten. They are so close. They are so dedicated to make him feel an incredible part of the team. Normally he’s on the sidelines as their No. 1 hype man. But they always, since they were in middle school, took this opportunity to stop and let him feel what it’s like to get on the field – like he’s always wanted to do.”
[Photo Credit: The Columbus CW]
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