ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Friday afternoon, Orange County’s East River High School football team played their homecoming game without their starting quarterback.
On their first offensive play, they came out with no quarterback and only 10 players, to honor 18-year-old Nick Miner.
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East River took a delay of game penalty, which their opponent, Lake Howell, declined.
Miner was killed Sunday after he tried to tow his friend’s car out of a ditch in east Orange County and another car hit him.
Read: East River quarterback honored as homecoming king after being fatally hit by car
The homecoming game was supposed to be played Thursday night, but lightning forced it to be rescheduled.
Before the cancelation, in an emotional ceremony Thursday night, the school named Miner homecoming king.
Read: East River High School to honor late quarterback during tonight’s homecoming game
Miner’s family accepted the homecoming sash in their son’s place.
Miner was described by his teammates as a leader on and off the field.
“It’s a brotherhood and Nick was like the leader of the brotherhood,” teammate Cole Strawder said.
Read: Community holds vigil for Orange County high school student killed in crash
On Thursday, Nick’s jersey number, 8, was spray painted on to the field in his honor.
“Me and his brother and his mother we find ourselves just crying most of the time and its really hard to deal with it,” Miner’s father, Derek Miner said.
But in the face of grief, he said the outpouring of support is providing a bit of comfort.
Read: Orange County high school student killed in crash
“Being here around all these people that loved him. It’s like his gift to us,” Derek Miner said.
Remembered for his kindness, and strength of character, Miner’s father said he’s reminded how lucky he was to be Nick’s dad.
“Everything is about him and I couldn’t be more proud,” he said.
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