Cape Central manager gets special moment

Senior Night games are always special for high school athletes.

You're recognized prior to the game alongside members of your family and teammates who feel like family from years of going to school or playing together.

For Cape Girardeau Central senior Garrett Jones, the Tigers' 54-20 win over Soldan on Senior Night on Oct. 14 was particularly special. Jones, a special needs student and the team's manager, was recognized alongside his fellow seniors prior to the game and later got in on the action, scoring a two-point conversion after Central scored its first touchdown.

"It was awesome to see him score, and he had a big smile on his face," Michelle Jones, Garrett's mother, told Southeast Missourian reporter Phillip Suitts. "He's always wanted to play but really never could. So this was really great that they let him do this."

It was a moment -- complete with chants of his name -- weeks in the making, with his mother finding out about a month prior.

First-year Central coach Arlen Pixley commended Soldan coach Jarrett Kendall, whose players allowed Jones to score. Likewise, Central allowed Soldan to score a two-point conversion following its first touchdown of the night.

Jones, the longtime manager, also helps out with the baseball and girls basketball teams at Central.

"That's our brother," quarterback Kway'Chon Chisom said. "He's a part of the team, too. He's been with us since junior high, too. So he came a long way. That's our homie. We love Garrett."

While competition is important in sports, we applaud the coaches, teammates and opponents who put that aside for a few moments to allow for Jones' special moment.