How Halls football honored teammate who suffered traumatic brain injury in car accident
Knoxville Halls football was excited for its home opener against fellow Class 5A opponent Campbell County on Thursday. The Red Devils were especially motivated because their teammate Caleb Limbaugh was not with them.
Limbaugh, a junior wide receiver, wasn’t in attendance because he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident May 30, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser created in June. The GoFundMe raised more than $14,000 to help with medical expenses.
The team wore No. 88 helmet decals in his honor in their 41-14 win to open the Tennessee high school football season.
“I’m very sad that he’s not here, but we all did it for him,” said freshman Hudson Limbaugh, Caleb’s younger brother.
The Red Devils (1-0) were led by senior running back Kameron Bates, who had 13 carries for 112 rushing yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Marcus Moore had nine carries for 57 yards and tacked on two more touchdowns.
Halls trailed 14-10 in the first half and shut out Campbell County (0-1) for the rest of the game, forcing two third-quarter interceptions. It was a strong start after Halls finished 2-9 last season.
Caleb Limbaugh is at home in Knoxville recovering and could return to school for the second semester, Halls coach Brent Hughes said. Limbaugh visited the team earlier this month, after undergoing surgeries following the accident, and recently began running again. However, it's unclear whether he will be able to return to the playing field.
Hudson Limbaugh decided to represent his brother by wearing his No. 88 jersey.
Bates said the win was dedicated to Caleb Limbaugh, who inspired the Red Devils against Campbell County.
“It means a lot for us, to be able to support him and bring some awareness to him at this time,” Bates said.
Bates was the most impactful offensive player for the Red Devils, and it is no surprise to Hughes.
“He does everything the right way,” Hughes said. “I never have to worry about that kid in the classroom, out in the community, on the football field.
“I’m super proud of his night.”
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Bates said that this year's team is different and that the win is a strong start.
“We need to get one under our belt and get some momentum this season,” Bates said. “We got better work ethic, people care more. We’ll be good this year.
Campbell County’s Class 5A all-state player Lenden Hensley had a strong first half, completing nine of his 11 passes for 149 yards along with two rushing touchdowns. Halls' defense had several pass breakups in the second half, having him end his night completing 18 of 33 passes for 226 yards.
The Red Devils had their student section rush the field to celebrate the victory. At the heart of this first successful game, was Caleb Limbaugh who likely watched the televised game and celebrated with his team from home.
“We love him,” Hughes said.
Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email tbrown@usatoday.com. Twitter @TJ3rd_.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: TSSAA football: Knoxville Halls honors teammate with brain injury
