MEXIA, Texas — Mexia football took the field against Groesbeck on Friday with heavy hearts. Remembering their teammate, Micah Kirven, who passed away on October 2, 2024.
Head coach Aaron Nowell said, "Every morning you wake up is not one that's promised."
That message is on the hearts of the Mexia community. Kirven was a do-it-all athlete. He played varsity football and basketball player and a three time track state qualifier.
"With as good of a player as he was, he's a 10 time better young man," said Coach Nowell.
He made an impact on the field, the court and the track. The Black Cats are coming together to remember their fellow teammate.
Mexia has made special helmet stickers that have his initials, "MK," and his jersey number, 8. They also made t-shirts that say 'Micah Strong' and sold over 700 of the shirts in the last week.
"Mexia is a special place," said the coach, "Unfortunately, it's in times like these that the spotlight kind of gets shown on how special a place it is and how tight of a community it is and just how much this community supports young people."
The Black Cats took on Groesbeck in the Battle of the River, a huge rivalry game between the two teams. Mexia will be carrying the memory of number eight with them
Coach said, "I don't think there's any question, that they've dedicated everything they're doing, in his honor."
This is KCEN's Game of the Week.