It has a been a very tough week for the band members of Seven Lakes, but Thursday night was a chance to let it all out and remember Schmitt.
While sounds of the Seven Lakes High School Band energized the air, one freshman band member is noticeably absent.
"The first thing that came to my head, and I think for everybody, was just shock. Everybody was just so taken aback by it. We had heard through text messaging or whatever that there was an accident," said senior Jacob Bishop.
Schmitt was killed last Friday after school let out when a vehicle he was riding in with five friends crashed and rolled over. He was wearing a seat belt.
"Matthew was a French horn player. He was a great kid, always smiling, happy, joking around. The kids loved him. He was a great team player. It's a tribute to his family, " said Damon Archer.
The freshman band member was honored at a halftime show and in his memory, as the Seven Lakes High School Band marched onto the field, Matthew's instrument, hat and marching jacket were placed on the field in the northern end zone. It was a tribute that just might have Matthew smiling from above.
"One thing that the principal at our school told me was that she visited with his parents and they could say was how much he loved being in band," said Bishop.
That tradition of putting his instrument, hat and marching jacket in the northern end zone will continue throughout the rest of the football season.
Thursday night's game was memorable in more ways than one. It went to four overtimes, but Seven Lakes eventually lost to Katy Mayde Creek, 40-34.
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