Coach Grays remembered at New Mexico state championship

Saturdays state championship game at the Field of Dreams was almost electric.

Artesia football fans drove three hours to pack the stands and Centennial Hawks fans also flooded the seats to cheer on their team.

But if you looked close there were some signs scattered around the crowds you typically won’t see at a championship game.

Rest In Peace coach-forever in our hearts. Many were there in honor of coach Roger Grays.

The assistant coach for the Hawks was in a rollover that took his life less than ten days ago.

“It hit extra hard because he’s part of our family,” said Jamie Sweenie, principle at Desert Hills Elementry school, where Grays also taught. Sweenie says she’ll always remember coach Grays smile.

Some of his students were also in attendance.

“He was very nice to us and he would give us candies,” said Fabien Castros. His mother Jessica tells ABC-7 Grays is one of the teachers everyone remembers when the grow up.

“Coach Rogers was an amazing man. He was also their for the children and all the children love him. He has one of the biggest hearts we knew at Desert Hills,” said Jessica.

And even though the Hawks were trailing at the beginning of the second half.

“We’re here in his memory and all the kids are here supporting him and what he believed in and that was the enjoyment of sports and the hope for everybody,” Sweenie said.

While the team didn’t make the win coach Aaron Ocampo knows coach Grays is happy with the teams accomplishment.

“I think coach Rog(Grays) knows what the team did here today. I think he’s smiling up in heaven, real proud of how these guys played,” Ocampo said.