Coach Grays remembered at New Mexico state championship

the game in support of coach grays. some of his former coworkers and students attended the game. abc-7’s jerry najera is live with the story… evan josie it was an emotional day at the field of dreams a lot of excitment but also a lot of heartbreak. saturdays state championship game at the field of dreams was almost electric artesia fans driving 3 hours to pack the stands and centennial hawks flooding 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 are here in honor of coach roger grays. the assistant coach for the hawks was in a rollover that took his life less than 10 days ago. ‘it hit extra hard because he’s part of our family” jamie sweenie is principle at desert hills elementry school where grays also taught. she says she’ll always remember coach grays smile. some of his students were also in attendance. “he was very nice to us and h would give us candies” little fabien castros mother jessica tells me grays is one of the teachers everyone rembers when their growing up. “coach rogers was an amazing man he was also their for the children and all the children love him just one of the biggest hearts we knew at desert hills” 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” while the team didn’t make the win coach aaron o campo knows coach grays is happy with the teams accomplishment. “i think coac rog knows what the team did here today i think he’s smiling up in heaven real proud of how these guys played and everything didn’t go our way today but he’s up there smiling and laughing with how proud he is because he loved this team” i also spoke with cameron burkley he is a centennial football player- coach grays nephew and was also in the truck when they rolled over. he tells me his uncle would be proud saying they played as best as they could they played the hawk way. a beautiful night here in the borderland – a great night to