Former Braden River Football Player Remembered at Friday's Game

Before he graduated from Braden River High School. played for Braden River's first varsity football team wearing number 85.

On Friday night number 85 was prevalent as the Braden River Football team honored Lay who was killed in combat in Afghanistan in August.

The team program featured a page with Lay's high school football photo, wearing his number 85 jersey and another of Lay in his Army uniform. And the caption, "We will never forget."

Stefenie Hernandez, Lay's mother, along with a contingent of family and friends, took to the field wearing number 85, complete with Lay's name, in a pre-game ceremony to honor Lay. The school plans to hang a photo of her son  at Braden River High, the frame is inscribed with  “In Memory of Patrick Lay Class of 2008.”

That framed photo was presented to Hernandez during the pre-game ceremony along with a VFW certificate paying tribute to Lay, an Ohio State autographed football from Buckeye's Coach Luke Fickell in honor of her son, who was an Ohio State football fan.

The high school's student body gave Hernandez the Pirate Flag of Commitment to Excellence. It reads, “In memory of our fellow Pirate Patrick Lay, Specialist for U.S. Army Elite 10th Mountain Division, who honored the Pirate family and his country with the ultimate sacrifice.”