Keeping Jackson’s legacy alive

I’ll never back down in the argument that football is the greatest team sport. But as great as it is, there is more to life than just football. The Houston Hawks are proving you can use football as a way to acknowledge and represent some of life’s biggest challenges.

Houston will strive for school history Friday night. With a win over rival Redington, the Hawks can finish undefeated during the regular season for the first time. But even with a Houston win and an 8-0 finish, it may not even be the most important part of the Hawks’ night. Houston High School and the Hawks are honoring their biggest fan, Jackson Loveless.

Despite facing a number of serious medical challenges that would ultimately lead to his death, it didn’t deter Jackson from supporting his Houston Hawks. Jackson was a team manager, and even had a chance to suit up for the Hawks and wear the Houston red, white and black. Jackson scored a touchdown for his beloved team.

It’s been nearly two years since Jackson died on Dec. 2, 2017. But his legacy and spirit lives on, and has become central to the winning football program that has been established at Houston High. Each year the Hawks choose a player who best represents Jackson, a player who inspires, a player who embodies that spirit and faces adversity just as Jackson faced the challenges throughout his own life. A current Houston player who fits all of those attributes Jackson represented, will be recognized during halftime, and the memory of Jackson will be honored. It’s a coveted team award, and all in the honor of the memory of Jackson. Jackson’s parents, Josh and Katie, will also be on hand to be a part of the night.

Houston High School is also hosting a fundraiser in honor of the memory of Jackson. The Hampton Inn and Suites in Salt Lake City, Utah, has established Jackson’s Room. The Utah hotel would become a home away from home for Jackson and his family. Jackson was born with a mass in his brain, and that led to a number of serious health issues. Jackson, who died at the age of 14, traveled to Salt Lake with his family routinely for medical care at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

The Salt Lake City Hampton started a program in 2012 to provide lodging to families with children receiving care at Primary Children’s. The program was named Jackson’s Room in 2017, in honor of Jackson Loveless. After Jackson died, his friends and family wanted to honor his memory. There is now an account available, and donations to that account go toward funding the cost of families to stay at the Salt Lake City Hampton while their child is receiving care at Primary Children’s.

Proceeds from admission to the game Friday will go to Jackson’s Room. Fans are welcome to donate more.

“To drop a couple of extra bucks to Jackson’s Room would be awesome,” Houston head coach Glenn Nelson said.

Jackson has left many memories for those he had impacted. Nelson said Jackson was known to wear ties. The players will be wearing ties to school and fans encouraged to also sport their favorite tie on game day.

The Houston-Redington matchup is also the annual Pink Bowl for cancer awareness. Nelson said Houston and Redington do not do this just because October is cancer awareness month. Nelson said members of the Houston team and staff have been directly impacted by cancer.

“It’s pretty personal to us,” Nelson said.

Palmer and Wasilla are also teaming together to add another dimension to the storied Potato Bowl. The Palmer blue and Wasilla red will be going pink at Machetanz Field.

The Moose and the Warriors are joining forces to “tackle cancer.” Both Valley schools will be part of a “friendly competition” to raise money, with all proceeds going toward the battle against cancer in Alaska. There will be items available for sale, and fans can make cash donations at the admission gate.

Approaching the eighth week of the prep football season, I’d typically fill this column with my hot take on what’s going on the field. The Hawks gunning for 8-0. Redington also working for school history with a fifth win. Palmer and Wasilla trying to end their seasons on a positive note. Colony’s great turnaround. I could write 1,000 words on just the Potato Bowl.

But looking at the grand scheme of things, I applaud the local programs for the cancer awareness. Cancer, in one way or another, impacts just about all of us.

But I come with my own perspective. I am a proud father of a special needs child. Keeping Jackson’s legacy alive will be the most important thing that happens this weekend in the world of Valley sports.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.