By Rick Dandes
The Daily Item
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SELINSGROVE — Tears. And then cheers.
There weren’t many dry eyes on both sides of Harold L. Bolig Memorial Field on Friday night, when Seth Lauver, a star on last year’s state champion Selinsgrove Area High School football squad, came out to the 50-yard line with his teammates for the coin toss to open the 2010 season against Mount Carmel.
Lauver, dressed in a blue No. 45 Seals jersey, was in a wheelchair after being paralyzed in a car crash last May, the night of the senior prom. That was five months after he scored on a 6-yard run with 1:47 left, the winning touchdown in Selinsgrove’s 10-7 victory over Manheim Central in the PIAA Class title game in December.
The Seals became only the eighth team in Pennsylvania high school history to finish 16-0.
Lauver, a senior, has returned to school, and according to assistant football coach Dave Watto, “has been at almost all of our practices. He is one of our captains. He has been incredibly positive and his presence has meant a lot to the team. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he coaches. He’s a good man. A strong individual.”
When Lauver’s name was announced, many in the crowd of 4,500 fans cried, then stood and applauded for about 15 seconds — on the Selinsgrove side and on the Mount Carmel side.
Jayme Hile, of Selinsgrove, said she couldn’t hold back the tears. She wore a red “Team up for Alex and Seth” T-shirt. Alex Mullen, Lauver’s prom date, was also injured in the May accident.
“I think it’s good for the kids and for the community to see Seth out there on the field,” she said. “This is a very proud community with a lot of spirit. I’m a nurse and to see him out there is just wonderful.”
Karen Anderson, of Selinsgrove, stood and cheered when she first saw Lauver on the field, during pre-game practice.
“I don’t know what the final score will be,” Anderson said. “This is a new team and we don’t know what to expect, but I kind of feel like we’re all winners, no matter what the score, seeing Seth out there with his friends and coaches.”
Meanwhile, the fans crowding the stands were all anticipating a good game, and an interesting season.
“I’m a football fan. And I’m excited about the new year,” said Leon Brosius, of Selinsgrove, “but I don’t expect to see the team go undefeated. They may lose one or two games.”
Brosius has been going to Seals’ games for more than 30 years, he said.
“I’m not a graduate but I follow them,” he said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how they do.”
Tim Shaffer, a 1975 Selinsgrove Area High graduate, was also positive about the year ahead. “Last year was great. We’ll just have to see about this year. But it’s a good program and Dave Hess is a good coach.”
Like Shaffer, David Hummel, of Selinsgrove, was cautiously optimistic about the season.
“This is going to be a tough game,” he said. “But I support the Seals all the way.”
Looking up at the fading sunlight, he added, “Isn’t this a great night for football?”
Yes, it was, said Arnie Wallingford, of Kreamer, a longtime fan.
“I mean, it’s humid out,” he said. “I can feel the sweat. But it’s the season and I can’t wait to see how the team does. Last year was a magical year. Who knows how this year will turn out?”
Selinsgrove ended up losing 14-0 Friday night, but scored a much more important victory with Lauver in attendance.
“I think it’s great to see that the team has rallied around him,” Hile said.
Added Anderson: “You can see they love him.”
-- E-mail comments to rdandes@dailyitem.com
