Teen dedicates his final high school football season to support children's cancer research

THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK) -- Nearly $2,000 has been raised for cancer research by one of Concordia Lutheran High School's football stars.

Senior Hayden Yezak, 17, is dedicating his final year of high school football to support people like his neighbor Isabelle Nicole, a young girl who died after battling pediatric cancer.

Yezak, who is a kicker on the team, has joined Kick-It for Cancer to help support cancer research on a state and national level. He even enlisted his younger brother, Hudson, to join him in the effort. So far, the Yezak brothers have helped raise more than $1,700.

The two have seen the effects of cancer up close.

Their neighbor's aunt was a classmate of Hayden, and her grandmother was on the staff at Concordia. "I saw what her family went through, and so when I had the chance to help raise money for pediatric cancer, I signed up right away," Hayden said.

His brother Hudson, who attends Trinity Lutheran School, is dedicating his football season to Jake Hickford, who also died from pediatric cancer.

"I really want to be a good role model for my little brother. So if I can help to honor Isabelle's memory and make my family proud, it's something I'm really happy to be doing, " Hayden said.

"So little money goes to childhood cancer research," Hayden added. When I heard the statistics it blew my mind. I would love for the support of childhood cancer research to gain traction. I really hope that being a Kick-It Champion will at least help raise awareness."