Photo via Titans Online

KOHN 2 reports a thousand local kids enjoyed a night of football as the University of Hawaii faced San Diego State on Saturday, thanks to Tennessee Titans and former St. Louis (Honolulu) High School quarterback Marcus Mariota and his Motiv8 Foundation.

Along with youth from the After-School All-Stars Hawaii program, there were 500 more from the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, Special Olympics Hawaii and Nanakuli, Kapolei, and Waianae high schools.

Photo via Motiv8 Foundation

“He’s doing things with the homeless, he’s doing back-to-school stuff with backpacks and school supplies and he’s continuing to try to build this foundation up so he can influence more and more young people in Hawaii,” Motiv8 Foundation volunteer Rich Miano said.

Maryland teen with Down Syndrome, heart condition gets his moment

Michael Quander of WUSA tells the story of Jared Alula, a 13-year-old with Down Syndrome who's been hospitalized more than 40 times due to a heart problem that limits his physical activity, but who took the gridiron for the first time last weekend thanks to a local coach.

Joseph Hooks learned of Alula's story after coaching his older brother, and allowed him to come out for his Montgomery County youth team and be on the sideline during games. On Saturday he saw his first action, scored a touchdown and showed off his patented dance moves.

Jared has Down syndrome and a heart condition. He loves football but can’t play like other kids. He got chance to play in real game @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/whaizRLEY3

— Michael Quander WUSA (@MikeQReports) October 29, 2017

“Don’t let anybody stop you from trying to do what you want to do,” Hooks told Alula. “A lot of people look up to you because of your skills. I’m proud of you.”

Texas receiver sets state record

 

Photo via Tim Warner/Houston Chronicle

Jason McDaniel of the Houston Chronicle reports St. Pius X wideout Jalen Curry snagged a state-record 26 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns in his team's 53-42 win over Concordia Lutheran, which bumped its record to 5-1 on the season.

"It's amazing to come back from a loss (to Fort Worth All Saints last week) and be able to capture this W," Curry said. "Our confidence is building back up."

With Grant Gunnell at quarterback, the Panthers average 484 passing yards per game with 36 TDs through the air, including seven to Curry.

Ex-49ers staff member values life after losing home, collection

Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle visited with Ted Walsh, a former 49ers employee who lost his home to wildfire after he and his family evacuated Oct. 9. Walsh worked in the equipment department for 15 years, starting in 1981 when he was 16 years old. He left in 1996 to become equipment manager for the Cleveland Indians, stayed there for six years, then worked for the Seattle Mariners for 13 seasons.

His $1.5 million Santa Rosa home contained a massive memorabilia collection, much of it still in storage bins after he and his family moved in 15 months ago. It included Super Bowl rings from all five 49ers championships. Upon return with a friend to sift through the rubble, they found the face of his Super Bowl XXIII ring, when the 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals on a Joe Montana-to-John Taylor TD.

Photo via Lisa Hafalia/The Chronicle

“He liked everybody and everybody liked him,” former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. said. “He grew up with our organization.

“We’re going to get him his Super Bowl rings. We’ll order replacements.”

Walsh said the fire changed his outlook on life.

“This was material stuff,” Walsh said. “I can’t have any self-pity.”

Player with cerebral palsy takes one to the house

Marc Davis of NBC 12 in Richmond, Virginia reports Atlee High School senior Sepp Shirey scored on an 80-yard run in Friday's game with Varina, a play celebrated by players, coaches and fans of both teams.

 

Shirey, who has cerebral palsy, has played football since the fourth grade. 

"Every time I think I'm tired, every time I think I gotta take a play off, I'm exhausted, I look over at him and he's doing it all on his arms. That's crazy. He's easily the hardest worker on the team," said Atlee linebacker Hayden Moore.

Shirey wants to go to the University of Alabama to study broadcast journalism, and hopes to be involved with the Crimson Tide football program in some capacity. As for his method of overcoming any obstacle:

"Just brush that aside, even if you can just briefly brush it aside, and sometimes you'll make enough progress where you can really find the courage to keep pressing on and put that totally in the rear-view mirror," said Shirey.