Giovanni Hernandez, Kid Captain

The Red Oak football team had a special honorary captain for its home football opener Friday against Southwest Valley. Giovanni Hernandez had the chance to walk out with Tiger captains (from left) Masen Fisher, Ethan Fouts, Nolan Perrien and Adam Baer prior to kickoff for the coin toss. Hernandez, a fourth grader at Inman Elementary, lost his father, Xavier Valentine, to cancer three years ago this month. Giovanni and his father shared a love of football that has endured in the 10-year-old. He is playing wide receiver for the Red Oak Youth Football Association after he and his family moved to the community earlier this summer.