Pleasantville, Camden Finish High School Football Game At Linc Same Day Micah Tennant, 10, Dies From Injuries Sustained In Shooting
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The same day a high school football game resumed that was interrupted by gunfire, a 10-year-old boy died Wednesday morning after injuries sustained in the shooting. Micah Tennant was shot in the neck last Friday during the game at Pleasantville High School.
Pleasantville and Camden High Schools finished their game at Lincoln Financial Field and even met some of their favorite Philadelphia Eagles.
"For us, just trying to bring them some joy, try to bring them some hope, put a smile on their face and hopefully they can go compete and have some fun," quarterback Carson Wentz said.
"Just to have a moment to kind of forget about everything else and just come together around the game," safety Malcolm Jenkins said.
Prior to the game, hundreds of classmates sent off the Pleasantville team.
"It definitely means a lot going to Lincoln Financial Field, going to play a big game in the semifinals, so it definitely means a lot," senior Ernest Howard said.
Ernest changed his number to 10 in honor of Micah. Authorities say the 10-year-old boy was killed when alleged gunman Alvin Wyatt opened fire on a local rival in the football stands.
"This is a very, very special moment for us and we want to win and bring it home and we're going to do it in honor of our star that we just lost," Pleasantville High School Principal Howard Johnson said.
The high school players also got to experience running through an NFL tunnel. But even in the midst of the excitement, was the memory of Young Micah as a moment of silence was held.
The Pleasantville Greyhounds played their hearts out but came up short. Even so, their coach says they're honored to play the game in Micah's memory.
"I love you guys, I'm proud of you guys. There are better things ahead for this team," Pleasantville head coach Chris Sacco said.
"I was hurting. I went back on the field today, earlier this morning and I sat in the same spot he sat in and I was just sitting there, wondering why it happened to him. It just really hurts," Howard said.
"I'm very sad. Very, very sad, man. I couldn't play with my full energy because it's been very, very tough," player Fernando Flores said.
But many in the community, including Pleasantville Mayor Jessie Tweedle, say they're proud of the team and grateful for the support they've received from people all over the country.
"Even though they lost, it's a win. It's a win for them," Tweedle said.
"It's been overwhelming. From people from different schools making cards for the kids and posters -- I mean it's really, it just goes to show when things are tough, everybody really rallies around each other," Sacco said. "I wish we could have pulled it out today because it would have been a hell of a way to end the week, but I'm proud of these guys."
The mayor says a local businessperson has offered to pay for Micah's funeral.
Micah's family is asking for donations through a GoFundMe campaign.
The suspects in the shooting are expected to be in court Wednesday.
CBS3's Cleve Bryan and Greg Argos contributed to this report.
