This season, the Mount Si freshman football team played for more than wins. They played in honor of David Heyting, a Snoqualmie Valley native and longtime youth football coach who died in May after a 14-year battle with brain cancer.
Heyting coached many of the players during their junior football years, helping shape not only their skills on the field, but their confidence, character, and love of the game. He never had the chance to see them take the field as high school athletes.
That legacy followed them anyway. This year’s freshman head coach was Brian Tawney, Heyting’s brother-in-law, a Mount Si leadership teacher and longtime community mentor. What unfolded became a season defined by purpose, family, and connection.
The team finished undefeated, but the measure of the season was never the scoreboard. From helmet stickers and wrist tape marked “DH” to moments of reflection that carried through every practice and game, the players chose to honor the coach who had once guided them, carrying his influence forward together.
Top pic: Jake DeSpain, Cooper Frederick, Coach Tawney Bottom pic: Cooper Frederick, David Heyting, Eli Wilmot, Jake DeSpain
For Brian Tawney, coaching the Mount Si freshman team carried a weight that went far beyond a typical season. These were the last players David Heyting had coached during their junior football years, a fact that stayed close for Tawney as he stepped into the role. Before David became sick, the two had even talked about coaching freshmen together one day. In that sense, Tawney said the season felt like a continuation of David’s work and his legacy in the Valley, with the same group of kids David had believed in now taking the field at the high school level.
From the start, Tawney made it clear that football was a vehicle, not the destination. His focus was on teaching life skills the players could carry with them long after the season ended. “We often talk about using football as a vehicle to build great young men of character,” he said. Practices and games became opportunities to learn how to handle discomfort, accountability, and pressure. Tawney noted that the moments when the team struggled were often the most valuable, because that was where the most growth happened, both individually and as a group.
David’s influence on Tawney’s approach was constant, shaped by years of conversations about coaching philosophy and leadership. Tawney recalled watching former players seek David out at games, checking in on him and showing genuine care, something he saw as a reflection of the kind of coach David had been. “After seeing him with the kids and those talks I knew that a lot of our coaching points matched up,” Tawney said. That alignment gave him confidence, and it reinforced his belief in leaning into difficult conversations and leading with intention and purpose throughout the season.
Throughout the season, the players found their own ways to honor David. Many wrote “DH” on their arms or wrist tape before games, while others added helmet stickers made in his memory. Coach Tawney said the tribute was introduced briefly at the beginning of the year, and participation was optional. Some players chose additional personal markings on their pads, but the focus was never forced. The intention, Tawney explained, was to help the team learn how to play for others, without allowing the season to become centered solely on loss.
That purpose showed up week after week. Tawney described seeing players hold each other accountable, encourage one another, and care deeply about their teammates throughout the season. One mother described the connection simply, saying, “David had his hands on these boys every single game.” For the players, honoring their former coach became a quiet constant, woven into practices, games, and the way they showed up as teammates, carrying his influence forward together as the season unfolded.
Jason Wilmot, who coached Junior Wildcat Football alongside David Heyting for four years and coached alongside Brian Tawney this year, said the connection between those early teams and this season was impossible to miss. The team went undefeated their 8th grade year. “Our 8th grade championship was played in brutal conditions-sideways rain and wind. David came in a wheelchair that night to support the kids he coached for years. It would have been so easy for him to stay home. But he was there because those boys mattered more to him than his own comfort. This year, when 40 of those same kids went undefeated as freshmen, we saw David in every play. As an offensive line coach, David taught them that football is won in the trenches with teamwork, sacrifice and effort. David taught them that life is always won with teamwork, sacrifice and effort!”
David’s sister Keri said her brother was giving and selfless, someone who constantly showed up for the people and the community he loved. A three-sport athlete in high school, David remained deeply involved in youth sports long after his own playing days, coaching flag football and junior football, serving as a baseball umpire, and managing a Little League umpire program. As his own children grew older, he continued coaching with Wildcat Junior Football alongside his oldest son, Colby. “I think kids responded so well to David because he was steady and approachable,” she said. “He led with a calm, focused presence, and he was the kind of person you never wanted to let down because your respect for him ran so deep.”
David’s son, Colby Heyting, a Mount Si grad now at Montana State who helped him coach Junior Wildcat football, said his father’s connection with young athletes came from the way he showed up for them. “I believe the connection he had with the youth was so impactful simply because he proved what love does. He was there for every kid and knew what it took to make every kid feel loved and seen. He did more than just talk, he proved it by the way he lived his life and loved on kids so well. He was the first guy to shout out the kid that was struggling or having a bad day. He made every kid feel important and that’s why he has such a big impact on the youth.”
Colby also described what it meant to see the team honor his dad throughout the season. “It was such a blessing seeing the boys he coached honor him through their season. Seeing the impact he left on that team that they would do that for him was so awesome. They are such an incredible group of boys who made the whole community feel their love for him”
Watching the Mount Si freshman team choose to honor David throughout the season carried deep meaning for the family. His sister said one of the hardest parts of losing someone is the fear that their memory will fade, a fear eased by seeing the boys intentionally carry him with them.
She recalled bringing David to watch the team play when he was deep into his cancer battle and losing mobility and being struck by how the players checked in on him with kindness and maturity. “Having the Mount Si Freshman team honor David this season meant the world,” she said. “The boys truly wanted to honor David’s memory and embraced a larger purpose for the season, one rooted in heart, not just athletic ability.”
The Mount Si freshman football team finished the season undefeated. As the final whistle sounded, the moment carried significance beyond the record. It was the season David Heyting never had the chance to see, but one that reflected the values he had passed on to the players long before they reached the high school field.
After the final game, Coach Brian Tawney gathered the team and spoke to them about what the season had meant. He told the boys how every practice, every game, and every moment of grit had been played in honor of David. He spoke about their heart, their resilience, and the way they showed up for one another throughout the season. As he spoke, Tawney was visibly overwhelmed.
He then looked into the stands for his wife, David’s sister, and for Sue Heyting, David’s mother. Tawney walked to them and wrapped them in an embrace. The tears that followed reflected both the weight of loss and the pride felt by a family and a community at the close of a season shaped by connection, care, and purpose.
There is a certain magic around youth sports, a feeling that sticks around with those who’ve played far after their time on the team has passed. Whether they are indelible memories of the dirt swirling around a Little League field, mud squishing under cleats on the soccer field or the sharp crack of pads colliding in a Pop Warner game, those moments will live on in the hearts of those who have played. This December, the members of the Sarasota Sun Devils 14U football team made some memories that they will be sure to cherish forever.
From December 8-13, the Sun Devils—a youth football and cheer organization started in 1987—competed in the American Youth Football National Championships in Naples, Florida. The Sun Devils, which had secured a berth to the tournament by winning its regional championship in November, played against teams from New Jersey, Virginia and California in the All-American Division 2 bracket. Led by head coach Bill Weiser and assistant coach Joshua Smithers—the former head coach and a current assistant coach on Riverview High School’s football team—the Sun Devils overcame an initial 18-2 loss to the Toms River Warriors to win two successive games en route to placing third in the national championships.
“We had games on Monday and Wednesday of that week guaranteed, and depending on the outcome, we would play on Friday,” says Smithers, who served as offensive coordinator. “I’m not sure if our kids were just nervous, but we lost to Toms River on Monday 18-2 and I thought to myself, ‘this might be a long day on Wednesday.’”
The Sun Devils rallied, however, defeating Richmond’s RVA United 20-18 in the consolation bracket before squaring with San Francisco’s Bay Area Gators for a shot at third place. Despite the Gators being as physical and well-coached a team as the Sun Devils had faced all season, Sarasota was able to pull out the victory, 32-21. A strong receiving group and the complimentary skill sets of the Sun Devils’ two quarterbacks, Parker Taylor and Beckett Hill, allowed Smithers to scheme up a creative offense. “It was the most that I’ve ever done with a youth football team. We were throwing screens and play action passes, we took advantage of the quick game and were able to run the field as well as push it down the field through the air,” says Smithers. “These kids were able to handle a lot in terms of scheme and play design.”
For Smithers and the rest of the Sun Devils, the end of the season is bittersweet. 14U is the last stop before high school football and much of the team had been playing together for years. “It was a little sad, but I am excited to watch these kids grow into young men and do great things for our area high schools.”
The D.C. Futsal Cup is one of the district’s premier winter futsal competitions — a 5v5 futsal tournament for competitive teams played under FIFA futsal rules and regulations on hard court surfaces.
Teams from around the area will take to the courts to engage in one of the fastest-growing games in the country on Jan. 31 (U9-12 Boys & Girls) and Feb. 1 (U13-U19 Boys & Girls) at the Athletic Republic.
Register online at $399 per team.
5v5 Tournament
Bethesda Soccer Club Performance Center is hosting a one-day U9-U12 Boys & Girls tournament on MLK Day (Jan. 19) as part of its 5v5 Shootout Series.
Teams from around the area will play on 5v5-specific fields to engage in a bold and distinctive game of soccer that will be entertaining and competitive. This one-day tournament allows the unique opportunity to play and let it rip.
For 2026, Hyundai shifts the spotlight to the dreams, imagination, and artistic talents of the youngest and most spirited football enthusiasts—children. Their artwork will bring a splash of vibrancy and fresh dreams to one of the world’s greatest sporting spectacles.
These captivating drawings will accompany the national players as they travel to stadiums and match venues, sharing youthful energy and creativity with millions of fans around the globe.
Each creative entry symbolizes the passion and enthusiasm of football fans for their national teams, inspiring pride and unity among players and supporters. These works of art don’t just embellish the buses; they embody the spirit of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, spreading messages of hope and celebration wherever they go!
But the experience doesn’t stop with seeing their art on display. Each winning artist will experience the excitement firsthand, with two very special seats reserved for the winner and one lucky guardian. The prize includes two tickets to a FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage match, round-trip airfare, and hotel accommodations. This ‘once-in-a-lifetime experience’ combines creativity, thrills, and a long list of unforgettable memories.
On Saturday, December 20, Fillmore Youth Basketball filled the Fillmore Middle School gym for a full day of games. Pictured are the games last Saturday for both boys and girls. Photo credit Crystal Gurrola.
By Gazette Staff Writers — Thursday, December 25th, 2025
— Youth for Christ in Alexandria has been around for 15 years, but recently moved into its new home – the YFC Youth Center at 911 Highway 29 North, near the north McDonald’s.
A
grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony
will take place on Monday, Jan. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
Nick Jorgenson, the Alexandria area site director for YFC, said that actually,
Youth for Christ
moved into the building in March. However, the building wasn’t really usable until about two and half months ago, he said.
“We had to renovate the entire place,” said Jorgenson. “There was no flooring in here; we had to rip down some of the old walls and redo the bathroom and kitchen. It was a big project.”
Previously, the YFC program operated out of the building behind the Alexandria City Hall where Nordic Warriors is located. Jorgenson said they had a small space in the basement.
The new location is a much bigger space and includes several tables for participants to sit and play games, eat or visit with each other, along with a video gaming space and a foosball table. It also includes a handmade table with plug-ins and a removable top that can be used to play electronic games in a group setting.
Standing in the middle in front of the Youth for Christ Youth Center in Alexandria is Nick Jorgenson, Alexandria YFC director and Heidi Christensen, Parent Life director. Joining them were Sean Levesque, left, executive director for the Youth For Christ West Central Minnesota chapter in Willmar, and Josh Ottoson, the chapter’s Development and Ministry director.
Contributed photo / Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Jorgenson said there are lots of different activities for those who are 11 to 19 years old.
“Our number one goal is to reach students with the Gospel, to present Jesus to them, and offer them a way out of horrible situations and horrible lives in the difficult world we live in,” he explained. “It’s not easy to navigate sometimes and so we’re here to walk alongside them and help them become lifelong followers of Jesus. So that’s our goal. But we do it in a relational way.”
The students who attend Youth for Christ don’t just sit around reading the Bible and singing worship songs, Jorgenson added. He said instead, the team at YFC builds relationships with those who attend so that they can earn the right for the students to listen to them.
YFC offers lots of activities
YFC offers different after-school clubs. On Tuesdays, there is the middle school club and then Thursdays are for the high school club. Jorgenson said it’s a time and space after school for students to hang out, play board games, video games and build relationships with not just the adults, but also the other students.
He said they usually will have snacks and beverages and then he will also do what he calls a “life talk,” which usually takes between 10 and 15 minutes.
Nick Jorgenson
“We talk about things going on in their world today and I apply biblical principles without just quoting biblical scriptures to them,” said Jorgenson. “And obviously, it’s in our name – Youth for Christ – so they’re not surprised when I tell them about God or Jesus.”
There are also groups, like the gaming group, which meets every other Thursday night. A volunteer will come in and the group plays games together. Another activity is the Girls Art Night where just the girls come in and do some kind of arts and crafts project, hang out with one another and build relationships with their peers. This group is led by YFC female volunteers.
And now that they have the space, Jorgenson said they have started Friday Night Life, where one Friday a month they do an activity, like Bingo or recently, they had a Christmas party.
Students can come and go as they please these during all the activities at the youth center. They are not made to stay until a program is done.
Students have snacks at a table inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Contributed photo / Nick Jorgensen
Jorgenson said the students, as well as the parents, are informed that the students can come and go as they please and that there is not a membership to join. He added that he does collect contact information for both the students and their parents and/or guardians, providing the students give him their parent information. He said it doesn’t always happen, especially with the high school students.
The contact info is for mass messaging that is sent out regularly to students, parents, counselors, etc. to let them know about upcoming activities.
For instance, Jorgenson will let everyone know about an upcoming event called Winter Ignite 2026, which will take place Feb. 27 through March 1 at the Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria. It will feature guest speaker, Brandon Farris, and also Christian hip-hop artist 808 Beezy. For more information, send an email to josh@yfcminnesota.com.
Besides a new location, a new program offering at YFC will be starting in January 2026. Alexandria Parent Life, a ministry for pregnant and parenting teens, will be led by Parent Life Director Heidi Christensen.
This program was originally started in Willmar, which is where the main office for Youth For Christ West Central Minnesota is located. This is the chapter that the Alexandria YFC belongs to. Parent Life is also offered at the Hutchinson YFC.
Heidi Christensen
“This is a new launch for us here in Alexandria,” Christensen said. “We’ll start meeting with pregnant and parenting teens in January on Tuesday nights from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.”
Parent Life is also offered to those ages 11 to 19, but Christensen said the program is a little bit different than the program Jorgensen runs.
She said there will be mentors and that they will be walking alongside the students in a kind-of pivotal point in their life. But, those who are attending are either pregnant or are already a parent.
“We are not a pregnancy center,” said Christensen. “When they come to us, they will have already either made the choice themselves to raise a child or carry the pregnancy to term but have an adoption plan in place. We do not do counseling of any kind. We’re here to walk alongside them and to have mentors.”
She added that parenting or being pregnant while still a teen is challenging and girls often find themselves ostracized from others. Parent Life will be a place where they can all get together and support one another.
Inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center there is an open space with tables and chairs for students to play games, hang with their friends or enjoy a snack.
Celeste Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
“They may be from different schools or come from different walks of life, but together they have something in common,” said Christensen.
The mentors in the Parent Life program are able to go with the teen moms to appointments and help them to get back on the path if they’ve dropped out of school, which Christensen said happens often.
Mentors will help them graduate from school, go to college if that was originally planned or go into the workforce.
“Oftentimes, girls who find themselves pregnant think that it is the end of their story and that is just not the case,” Christensen said. “We’re here to provide hope and get them back on track and provide them with parenting tips or even educational tips.”
Like in Jorgenson’s program, Christensen said there will be faith-based discussions, but really, the whole goal is to walk alongside the teens and that if it ends up they make a decision on their own to follow Jesus, that is great. But she stated it is not the sole purpose of the program.
The nursery, which isn’t quite finished, inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Celeste Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
In the new YFC Youth Center, there is also a nursery that will be staffed for those attending the Parent Life program who have children. Christensen also noted that there will be free diapers and wipes available to those attending the program.
For more information on the program send an email to heidi@yfcminnesota.com.
Information about the Alexandria Area Youth for Christ program can be found on Facebook at
facebook.com/AlexandriaYFC
or
yfcminnesota.com/ministries.
The video gaming station inside the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
Celeste Edenloff / Alexandria Echo Press
A cozy corner for students to hang out at in the new Alexandria Area Youth for Christ Youth Center.
