Meeting organ recipient highlight of Green Up Game for Scott City coach Jim May

Scott City football coach Jim May said a sad, final farewell to Dominic Hooper in February of 2014.

The senior lineman, leader and student held in high esteem by classmates, coaches, faculty and community, died in an ATV accident on Feb. 23, 2014.

Scott City coach Jim May talks with a player on the sideline in the second quarter against St. Vincent Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Scott City, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

On Friday night, before the Rams' Green Up Game against St. Vincent, which honored Hooper and raised awareness and money for organ donation, May had the pleasure to meet a man name Jacob.

Jacob, who lives near Cleveland, Ohio, made the trip specifically to attend the Rams' Green Up Game.

Hooper was an organ donor, and Jacob was among the five people Dominic saved with his donations.

Dominic's parents, Chris and Sara Snider, were among those dressed in green at Friday's event, which featured food, games, T-shirts and other activities. Chris and Sarah accompanied May and team captains onto the field before the game for the coin flip.

They also introduced May to Jacob, the recipient of Dominic's heart.

"Chris and Sarah brought him down to introduce him to me," May said after the game. "That was awesome, unbelievable. That was Dominic's heart beating in his chest right there. That's better than winning the game. That's unbelievable."

Snider has taken an active part advocating organ donation, and one of the largest crowds in a long time came out decked in green. Dominic was honored and remembered before the game and at halftime, when green balloons were released. He was also honored throughout, with Rams players decked in green with phrases honoring "Dom" and organ donation on the back of their jerseys.

"It just goes back to the kind of kid that Dom was," Snider said. "The students and the people around the area knew what type of great kid he was. They obviously wanted to come out and show their support and show us they remembered him."

Scott City's Braden Cox carries the ball for a touchdown against St. Vincent during the first quarter Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Scott City, Missouri. (Glenn Landberg)

Snider said admission, games for children and food sales raised at least $2,000. T-shirt sales and bake sales raised at least an additional $2,000, Snider said.

Kaden Graff throws a football to try and dunk Scott City High School principal Michael Johnson before the Green Up game against St. Vincent Friday, Aug. 28, 2015 in Schott City. (Glenn Landberg)

She said at least one person signed up for organ donation at the game, joining a list of at least 30 people who said they have registered as organ donors in the wake of the accident.

"It was a very emotional night," Snider said. "It was a very good night for the turnout and awareness, which was our main goal, to raise awareness for organ donation. We were very grateful that there is so much support from the community."

Snider said Jacob -- she said she did not want to give his last name -- is the only one of the five recipients she has met.

"We met him a couple months ago, back in June, and then he had wanted to come down here for this," Snider said. "He wanted to come down to be there for the Playing for Life Game and then we are also doing a float in the SEMO Fair parade and he wanted to be here for that as well."

Snider said Jacob got to the school around 5:15 p.m. and watched the entire game, one which Scott City won 33-6.

"I know coach May was very honored to have met him," Snider said. "It's kind of like an extended part of the family. He's got a part of Dominic, so to us, he's part of the family."