High school football: Battling a brutal foe — breast cancer

MURRAY — He remembers her crying. He remembers his parents explaining that his mother had breast cancer. He remembers her trying to keep life as normal as possible, a difficult task, especially the weeks she dealt with chemotherapy.

But most of all, Kyle Aberton remembers that even as she battled cancer, his mom found the strength to support him.

"She was a trouper," said Aberton, who was playing little league football at the time. "She came to all my games. She watched some from the car, but she was always there."

That support is something the Cottonwood senior wants to give to others who may someday face the devastation of cancer. A defensive back who led 4A and 5A in interceptions last season and maintains a 4.0 GPA, he is organizing the first Tackle in Pink Football Game — which will raise money for cancer research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute — on Oct. 22. The game against Cyprus will be the team's last home game and starts at 7 p.m.

Aberton has enlisted the help of Kathy Howa, founder and president of Swing For Life, who is ecstatic that the fundraising efforts began on a softball diamond six years ago have now made it to the football field. The players are looking forward to what is a huge undertaking.

"I am very excited that we're going to get to do it," said Aberton, acknowledging help from many sources, including the team's coaches, their opponent for the game, Cyprus, and Howa. "My coaches have been great. They thought it was a great idea."

The Cottonwood Football Booster Club is helping to collect items that will be auctioned, as well as other fundraising activities. Anyone interested in donating auction items or pledging to the efforts of the two teams can contact Howa at 801-971-0754 or booster club president Kevin Koncar 801-512-3047.

Those who know Kyle are not surprised at his willingness to spearhead the fundraising effort.

"Kyle is always pleasantly surprising Laura and I," said his father, Mark Aberton.

Cottonwood head coach Cecil Thomas said the team will wear gold uniforms and is petitioning the UHSAA to allow them to wear a special pink emblem or decal on either the uniform or helmet.

"Any time our kids take the initiative on their own to do something like this, we want to support them," he said. "Any time they're giving back to the community, I'm all for it."

Thomas said Aberton is a great leader for the Colts on and off the field.