Six-year-old Harrison Victor is undefeated while serving in the role of captain of Antioch’s football team.
A huge home crowd last Friday night for the Sequoits’ home opener was introduced to Harrison Victor and his battle with the disease called langerhans cell histiocytosis.
So far, Harrison is winning.
His family said Friday that Harrison was diagnosed with the cancer-like condition when he was 4, has undergone several surgeries and procedures, and has been in a state of recovery since Aug. 13, 2014.
Friday, when Antioch played its first home game on its new artificial-turf field, Harrison Victor was one of the Sequoit captains through the efforts of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
He led the team onto the field before the game, went out to midfield for the coin flip, and even got to flip the coin into the air. He also ran out onto the field to retrieve the tee after Antioch kicked off to start the second half of what turned out to be a 30-6 victory over Moline.
Plus, he got to meet the Sequoit players and share a meal with them at a team dinner.
All that, thanks a tremendous team effort led by Jen Dosch, who is one of the Lake County representatives who makes dreams come true through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Harrison Victor’s parents, Cara and Jon, were at the stadium and were thrilled by the event.
“Harrison absolutely loves sports and football in particular,” Cara Victor said.
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Currently, the youngster plays in a two-hand touch football program that’s run through the Antioch Vikings, which is the community’s youth football organization.
“Just four weeks after he was out (of the hospital), he could play football, and it has been such a great outlet for him,” his mother said.
“This is so great for his self esteem … a terrific opportunity and you can see the excitement on his face.”
The family also spoke highly of the high school, the team, and head coach Brian Glashagel.
“Antioch High School has been great. He had an opportunity to meet a lot of players and have memories for a lifetime,” Cara Victor said.
Harrison Victor’s father added that, “the community has been really tight. Harrison has been a champ.”
Also on had was Chicago Bears linebacker and first-round draft choice Shea McClellin. He gave Harrison Victory a pair of gloves which the youngster will be able to use as his football career develops.
And Antioch’s coach could not have been happier with how the day unfolded.
“I am proud of our guys the way the treated him,” Glashagel said. “I thought this was a great event and I was happy we could help.”
Phillyp Bonato is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.