GOTW: Foley vs. Fairhope

FOLEY, Ala. (WALA) - Week seven's Game of the Week features a 6A Region 2 showdown between the Foley Lions (5-1, 3-1) and the Fairhope Pirates (5-1, 4-0).
 
It’s the middle of the week on the Foley practice field.  With a region game with Fairhope looming ahead, you may think few things seem more important than football.  

You’d be wrong.  

It hasn’t even been a week since the Lions heard the news no team wants to hear. News that transcends sports.

“It’s not easy for any of us, but there’s no point in being sad about it, because that’s not going to help him at all," said senior safety Corey Christensen.  "We’re going to stay up-beat.  He’s a strong kid, and he’s going to fight through it; we totally believe in that.”

At the top of the depth chart at safety, Christensen has a lot on his shoulders, like being a role model on and off the field for the younger guys.  That’s exactly what he is to Chris Dillon, a sophomore defensive back starting on the JV squad.

Now, Dillon needs him more than ever, and it has nothing to do with football.

Shockwaves were sent through the Lions locker room, the school and community when Dillon was diagnosed with Leukemia on Saturday.  He’s currently under-going chemotherapy at St. Jude’s in Memphis.

“You just have to keep him positive about what he’s doing," Christensen said.  "If we keep winning, it’s going to keep him happy, and that’s the biggest thing when you go through something like this- just to stay up-beat, stay positive.”

“Our thoughts and our prayers go out to him and his family," said head coach Todd Watson.  "We know the struggles that they’re going to go through, but Chris is a very strong young man and we know that he’ll persevere and he’ll push through and we’re wishing him the best.”

So, Christensen will take the field Friday night without his favorite pupil.  But always working- always coaching- he still has a message for Dillon.

“Stay strong buddy, we’re all here praying for you, that’s the best thing we can do, we’re praying," Christensen said.  "I pray every night.  We like to know you’re going to be okay.  I know you will be, you’re a strong kid; keep fighting.”
 
Dillon will turn 16 years old on October 13.