Millennium High opened its game Saturday night with a tribute to former teammate Chris Hoovler, a lineman for the Falcons’ inaugural team in 2008.
Hoovler, a 2010 graduate of Millennium High, died in a car crash on Sept. 18, as did his friends Kassandra and Robert Bittick and Carol Phan.
During their warmups as Steve Lopez Stadium, Millennium players all wore Hoovler's number 52 on their warmup jerseys, and also have the initials CH and the number 52 stenciled on their helmets.
Before the game Millennium Athletic Director Levinia Woods and football coach Jayson Dias presented Hoovler’s family, including parents Tammy and Mike Hoovler and brother Brian Hoovler, with his framed jerseys and announced that his number is now retired.
Classy move, to honor the memory of a friend and teammate.