INSPIRED FOOTBALL: The Woodlands High School playing for more than title
THE WOODLANDS, TX (KTRK) -- It is the last week of the high school season and The Woodlands Highlanders are the last local team on the field. The undefeated Highlanders have played inspired football all season, even more since the injury to teammate Grant Milton.
Last month, Milton was injured in Waco.
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Senior Michael Purcell says the team is playing for Grant.
"When he went down that was a blow to the team because he was a starter on defense," Purcell said. "He's a friend and we made it our motivation to win next game, every game after that in honor of him."
Two weeks ago before The Woodlands knocked off Round Rock, the Highlander team captains brought Grant's jersey out for the coin flip.
It was a show of support and unity for the players.
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Senior Zach Loane is one of the team captains.
"Incredible feeling to walk his jersey out. I've looked up to him and it's united the community. We're praying for him and to hopefully bring home a state championship for him," Loane said.
Grant was recently moved to a medical facility in The Woodlands to continue his recovery. The entire community and beyond have rallied around him in support.
"Tremendous support from the community and school. An outpouring of support from the state of Texas and country," head coach Mark Schmid said. "Neat to see how many people have reached out to Milton and to the team."
RELATED: The Woodlands High School team honors teammate after injury
"Come out and play for him. We know how important it was for him so we made it our goal to win for him," quarterback Eric Schmid added.
