Darren Shanks

For those of you that don't know him, Darren Shanks #66 was one of our Offensive Tackles last year on the freshman team. To say Darren was one of our "big boys" on the O-line would be an understatemnt.

Darren led by example by giving his best effort at all times. He never complained and he always had a positive disposition both on and off the field.

During the off season workouts, Coach Martinez commented on the effort Darren put into his off season weight training program.

That suddenly came to a halt. Darren has missed school for the last several weeks an rumors of his well being started to surface. I had several players call me ask if I heard anything about Darren.

Coach Martinez called the Shank residence to find Darren had been admitted to Children's Hospital. Darren has been diagnosed with cancer.

I called and spoke to Darren over the phone. He seemed to be in good spirits and is undergoing chemotherapy along with steroid injections. They said the chemotherapy is making him dizzy and weak. He will be going in for a catscan on Thursday 1/26/10. I made sure I told him I loved him and to hang in there to get better soon.

Darren is not able to take visitors at this time. I will be meeting the freshman football players on Wendnesday during 6th period PE to give them the bad news. We will be thinking of our brother Darren and we will plan something for him when he gets out of the hospital.

In the meantime, please keep Darren and his family in your thoughts and prayers in the hopes for a speedy recovery. I will keep you all posted on his progress and when and where we plan to make a team visit for Darren.