Trojans exhibit character in coping with teammate’s loss

New Kent High School cheerleaders unveil a banner urging the Trojan team to carry on in honor of teammate Jacob Vick during pre-game ceremonies at last Friday’s New Kent-Bruton football game.

Alan Chamberlain photos

Coping with the tragic and untimely death on Tuesday of linebacker Jacob Vick, New Kent’s Trojans elected to travel to Bruton and take on the host Panthers in honor of their fallen teammate.

And even though the final on the scoreboard read Bruton 49 New Kent 7, the outcome didn’t matter. In the hearts and minds of the large throng of Trojan faithful sitting in the stands and the New Kent community as a whole, the Trojans won the game 50-0.

The fact that the Trojans took the field and displayed a valiant effort spoke volumes on team members’ character. Running back Mikel Chalmers scored the lone New Kent touchdown on a late second quarter run, and that TD was for number 50.

“I don’t know how this team got ready to play other than the New Kent community was so great all week,” said Trojan head coach Dan Rounds after last Friday’s contest.

“All the people who conveyed their thoughts and well wishes— I think that’s what got us through,” he said.

“It’s been the hardest week of my life, but I know that’s no comparison to what Jacob’s family is going through,” he said.

“Jacob was a great kid that every mom and dad would want their son to be,” the coach said. “He did everything right. He never questioned anything, and he was just a great person to be around. This team saw how he carried himself, and they learned that in this day and age you need to carry yourself like he did.”

Rounds said the team voted on Wednesday to carry forward with the Bruton game.

“They decided that, not [the coaches],” he said. “I think that shows great character in our guys.”

Trojan players wear Vick’s number 50 on their helmets for the Bruton game.