Football player tackles cancer, dream

(WTNH) - One young man is tackling his condition head-on. And while he can no longer play high school football, he was able to step onto the field one last time to deliver a play of inspiration.

Nick Reardon's not at practice with the rest of the Wolcott Tech Wildcats. Five hours of Chemotherapy will just wipe you out. But there's no way it'll wipe out the memory of Saturday's 82-yard touchdown run against Avon.

Reardon's dream of a touchdown jaunt appeared over two weeks ago; he was diagnosed with testicular Cancer. Doctor's orders: no football because he still had stitches from surgery. However, Wolcott Head Coach Jamie Coty wouldn't let go of the idea of one last moment on the gridiron.

"I just wanted to let him get a punt off uncontested. I didn't want to take a chance of having get hit," said Coach Coty.

Avon Head Coach Brett Quinion did him one better.

"He came across the field and said 'let's get this kid a touchdown,'" said Coach Coty.

A lopsided game turned into thriller at the finish. The players and coaches let Reardon score a touchdown for his final football memory in highschool.

Although Wolcott football is a young program, with a lot to learn on the field, off the field they've picked up a valuable life-lesson.

In an e-mail, Avon Coach Quinion said his idea was simple; a small act that was meant to show Reardon he has much more support than he could ever know.