‘Amazing’: Lewiston coach on Spaulding and Winnacunnet's pregame tribute
HAMPTON — A moment of silence was observed before Friday’s Division I high school football game between Spaulding and Winnacunnet to honor the 18 lives lost in Wednesday's shooting spree in Lewiston, Maine, a city less than 100 miles away from Winnacunnet High School.
With phone flashlights shining in the night sky and an instrumental version of “Amazing Grace” playing, the Spaulding and Winnacunnet teams walked in unison from the school to the field along the Winnacunnet sideline.
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Two team captains from each team – Kaiden Melendez and Grady Collins of Spaulding and Kaleb Joiner and Jake Magri from Winnacunnet – led the emotional march, holding a “Lewiston Strong” sign.
The pregame tribute meant a lot to both teams, but especially for Spaulding, which played at Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, a mile away from Lewiston, back in September.
News of the tribute reached Lewiston High School head football coach Jason Versey, who gave his thanks via social media.
“Absolutely amazing,” Versey wrote. “As the head coach of the Lewiston High School football team, I know I speak for all of us when I say 'Thank you' for this incredible heartfelt tribute to our community. We are definitely feeling the love.”
Spaulding head coach Kevin Hebert was emotional when he heard that the Lewiston football community saw the pregame tribute.
“To hear that, it’s not the reason you do it, but it’s the reason why,” Hebert said. “You want them to know that you are doing this for them, and that really hits home.”
Last night was certainly bigger than a high school football game, as our team and Winnacunnet were honored to walk on the field together in solidarity & united for the victims and families of the Lewiston Maine tragedy. All of the families & victims are in our thoughts & prayers. pic.twitter.com/ff8531qHah
— SpldngFootball (@SpldngFootball) October 28, 2023
Players from both Spaulding and Winnacunnet didn’t know this walk of unity was planned until shortly before it happened.
“We wanted the moment to be big,” Hebert said. “You should’ve seen those kids; they knew the levity of the moment. There are much bigger things than football; for us to bring a small glimmer of peace to the Lewiston community is what it’s about.”
Winnacunnet head coach Ryan Francoeur just wanted to show the city of Lewiston some “love.”
“I can’t even comprehend what that city and those people are going through,” Francoeur said. “Anything we could do to show some love and show that people are thinking about them while they try to process this horrible tragedy is the least we could do. We just wanted to show them love and that the world, and especially their neighbors close by, are thinking of them.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Lewiston coach calls Winnacunnet and Spaulding pregame tribute 'amazing'
