Back Row: John Oden, Ryan Zambo, Shannon Jones, Travis Surface, Dean Mantz. 3rd Row: Josh Prebble, Trevor Ochs, Cody Oden, Trevan Jones, Noah Zambo. 2nd Row: Wyatt Beltz, Kaz Comley, Dalton Mantz, Colton Madden, Matthew Villarreal, Kaden San Miguel. Front Row: Wyatt Hook, Wrikin Scobee, Zach Surface, Braxton Linden, John Gillespie. (Not pictured Michael Cunningham & Joshua Thorpe.)
Editors Note: Even though Sterling is in Rice County, the Black Bears play through the Hutchinson YMCA, a Reno County Organization. Therefore we will cover all teams playing through a Reno County Organizations. Also, it's for a great cause. INMAN - On Saturday, September 14, 2013, the Sterling Black Bears 3rd/4th Mid-States Football team erupted 32-7 over Goddard at Inman High Football Field. But that’s very little of the story. The Black Bears dedicated the game and each score to one of their classmates, Colton Madden. “My son (Colton) was born with 2 birth defects in his heart, a bicuspid valve with aortic stenosis,” said Elizabeth Madden. “He was life watched to Children's Mercy in Kansas City at 6 weeks old and had a balloon catheterization of his aortic valve.” Elizabeth explains that this has kept Colton from playing any aerobic sports. He is an avid golfer, which is the only sport he can participate in due to his condition. “But it hasn't kept him from being included.” His classmates placed a green sticker (Colton's favorite color) on their helmets that said "4CM" (For Colton Madden). "I asked Zach (Surface) what we should do for Colton and he suggested dedicating the game to him,” said Black Bears Head Coach Travis Surface. “Before the game I explained Colton's condition and told they boys that we all love football, but there are more important things in life so let's go play this game for Colton and the kids that can't play!" Over the summer at Colton’s annual cardiologist appointment, the Madden’s got the dreaded news that Colton was in need of further treatment, this meant open heart surgery. He was placed on a donor list and will have open-heart surgery to replace both his aortic and pulmonary valves on October 8. Unfortunately, Colton and his family were unable to attend the game because there was a lunch benefit being held in his honor on the same day. “It’s so moving to see such young children being so thoughtful and loving,” explained Elizabeth. “These boys learned so much more than how to play football that Saturday morning. They learned that encouraging friends, thinking about others, and kindness are the values that truly make a difference in this world. For those wanting to know more about Colton’s fight, Elizabeth has started a blog of their family’s journey at www.coltonsstory.blogspot.com. Information submitted by Elizabeth Madden Story written by staff | |