In a town where the high school football game is the place to be, players and fans received a somber reminder of how precious life is.
According to KTXS, it all started when Hawley, Texas, football player Ethan Davis took the field with his team, the Bearcats. It was an away game, and the Bearcats were facing off against the Forsan High School Buffaloes. Among the family and friends in the stands was Ethan's grandmother, 74-year-old Dolly Joyce Dodgen.
The game was going well, with the Bearcats enjoying a nice lead over the Buffaloes. Ethan even caught a 2-point conversion that brought the score up to 16-0. As unpredictable as things were on the field, what happened next in the stands would catch everyone by surprise.
Just a few short moments after watching her grandson's exciting play, Dolly suffered a heart attack in the stands. The game screeched to a halt as paramedics took Dolly to an area hospital.
On November 2, Dolly attended her grandson Ethan's football game against his team's rival, Forsan High School.
During the game, Ethan caught a 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 16-0 in the Bearcats' favor.
It was only a few moments later that Dolly suffered a heart attack in the stands. Paramedics worked quickly to transport her to a nearby hospital in Big Spring.
As this was all happening, the two teams and their coaches halted the game and huddled together in the field to pray for Dolly.
One spectator, Rebecca Medina, captured a photo of the powerful moment and posted it to Facebook, where it went viral.
"In the midst of the unknown and the worry, our Forsan Buffaloes walked across the field to join the Hawley players and they all prayed together," Rebecca's post read, in part. "So many times these kids/young people are criticized for the way they are, but last night they showed us how things are done."
Dolly died later that evening. It's an especially difficult loss for Ethan, who lived with his grandparents for the last year following his mom's death from cancer.
People from all different parts of the community and beyond have reached out to share their condolences for the loss.
They have also praised the spirit and heart of the boys on that field who came together and proved to be an excellent example of community as they prayed for their fellow athlete's family.
Dolly was remembered in her obituary as "a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother to her family. Dolly loved sports, especially watching the Hawley Bearcats play football."
There has been an outpouring of thoughts and prayers expressed toward Ethan and his family. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Ethan and his grandfather.
It will undoubtedly be a tough time for the family to navigate, but they have the support of their community.
Dolly's story and the outpouring of community love that followed will certainly linger in the hearts of the Hawley High School family near and far.
As for that evening's football game, Hawley went on to beat Forsan 45-0.
According to an update on the GoFundMe page, Hawley also went on to win the following week, and Ethan was surrounded by love and support as the Bearcats went on to become district champs.
