ULAH, N.C. — Few things are as hopeful as the start of the high school sports season. The successes and failures of last year are in the rear. Just out of view, somewhere beneath the horizon, lay all our dreams, waiting to be realized. The journey begins with perfect equity among all: zero wins, zero losses, zero ties.

But it wasn’t hope that was in the air at Southwestern Randolph High School on Wednesday.

Hearts were heavy. Tears were shed.

It was not yet time to put last year away.

It was a time to reflect and remember.

Looming over everything — from the scoreboard, to the cars outside, to the stadium entrance, to the balloons that patiently dawdled along the fence — was the memory of Pedro Ortiz-Perez. According to multiple reports by Triad media, Ortiz was shot by another teen on May 3. He had not been the intended target of the attack. He lived for just 11 more days. He was 16.

This was more than boys soccer. This was instead a celebration of life, a coming together, a much-needed cry, and a mandatory, but no less difficult, part of the healing process for a community.

It was also three months to the day of his passing on May 14.

No. 8, the jersey

Ortiz wore No. 8. He would’ve been a junior this season.

His image, a four-foot printout of him wearing that uniform in game action, faced the entrance. It invited others to sign it as a pledge against gun violence. There were already more than 50 names on it.

When the team got ready for the starting lineups, they circled up where Ortiz would’ve stood at his position of right midfield. Most players wore black arm bands with “PO#8” in yellow letters.

On the scoreboard, rather than counting down from 40:00 for a typical first half, the clock was stuck on 8:00 for the game’s first eight minutes.

Referees, keeping track of the actual time themselves, were to stop the match for an on-field ceremony once those minutes went by.

Southwestern Randolph scored within those first eight minutes as Aaron Avina, a classmate of Ortiz’s, got past the keeper. Once the ball found the back of the net, he hardly broke stride, heading straight to the sideline where he was handed a gray shirt. On it was Ortiz, posing with a soccer ball in an outstretched hand. “Forever in Our Hearts” read the inscription above it. Avina held it up towards the crowd and the cameras.

A few minutes later the clock officially struck 8 and the game was paused.

Players held up a poster of Ortiz that was taller than themselves and Ortiz’s family — his mother, father, and little brother — came onto the field for the ceremony. With the players forming a line on either side, they were each given gold and blue balloons. There was a moment of silence.

Then came the powerful and eloquent words over the PA system as his parents were presented a frame with his jersey, his photos, and even his signature. His jersey was being retired. No other Cougars player will again wear the No. 8.

“As we dedicate the 2024 season to Pedro Ortiz, every match, every goal, and every victory will be dedicated to his memory. His absence on the field will be felt deeply, but his spirit will inspire us to play with heart and determination. Pedro may no longer be with us in person, but his spirit lives on in the bonds we’ve formed and the lessons we’ve learned. As we continue our journey, we carry his memory with us, a constant reminder of the impact one person can have on a team and a community. Your teammates and coaches love you and promise to keep your spirit alive in our hearts. In memory of Pedro, we would like to present to Pedro’s parents, Pedro and Lupe, his jersey, as we retire No. 8 forever at Southwestern Randolph High School.”

There were sniffles and even sobs. Players picked at their shirts and lifted them to wipe away tears.

The balloons, including the one in the form of an 8, were released.

Those tears were still being wiped away as it became 2-0. Yael Rebollar Ortiz scored just 20 seconds after the resumption of play, but the celebration was muted.

“We tried to keep them loose, but it was impossible,” said coach Jimmy Walker.

No. 8, the life

Ortiz was a family member to some players. He was Yael’s uncle despite being just a year older. But all of them call Ortiz a brother. They grew up doing everything together. They miss his smile, his presence, his attitude.

“We hung out basically every day. If it wasn’t to go eat it was to come practice,” said Fernando Hernandez, another junior. “He was a great kid, a loving kid, and passionate about soccer. As we continue this season, we’re going to play for him.”

The teammates had been in the hospital when Ortiz died, and so had his coaches and many others in the crowd.

When the end was near, they came to watch him wheeled down the hallway one last time.

“A lot of these guys, that was their best friend,” Walker said.

On the windshields of several parked cars were neon stickers of various colors in the shape of a vital sign line. The line strings together a soccer ball, a heart that envelops “#8,” his first and last names that serve as bookends, and “long live” is written overhead.

Ortiz was an organ donor. He lives on not only with his teammates, but also in eight others who have received his organs for transplants.

Eight lives saved.

Eight…

The match against Forest Hills was lopsided. The Yellow Jackets had talent, but the Cougars had too much speed and skill in attack. They led 4-1 at halftime. This caused conversation among the players and coaches.

“We all knew we could go for eight,” said Avina.

The coaches agreed, and it was made clear that they were not going to try for a ninth no matter how much time was left.

Both teams traded goals. When Hernandez scored his first, he lifted up his jersey to reveal his own “Forever in Our Hearts” shirt underneath.

It was 7-3 now in the final minutes. A shot that was going in was saved by a fingertip. The team still pressed on.

Hernandez scored again with just 49.7 seconds left.

It was perfect.

Eight.

An 8-3 win for No. 8 who saved eight lives with organ donation, all three months to the day after they said their last goodbyes.

“It felt like he was there with me. It was pleasure to score the No. 8 goal. It was emotional,” Hernandez said.

“Eight is my new lucky number,” Walker said.

Yes, they still miss him.

That won’t change anytime soon.

But Wednesday was an important first step in the healing process.

The team wore pink jerseys in the match, but it was not part of the tribute. There are specially-made new ones that haven’t arrived yet.

On the right sleeve will be a picture of Ortiz.

It’ll be a powerful outward sign that he’ll always be with them.

Underneath those jerseys, he’s with them too. Just like the shirt says: “Forever in Our Hearts.”

Source: highschoolot.com