Beyond the Scoreboard: Citrus High Shows the Heart of Sportsmanship

Friday night lights in Florida usually mean touchdowns, tackles, and hometown pride. But every so often, they shine on something far greater—something that outlasts the scoreboard and leaves a lasting impression on everyone watching.

This past Friday, the Citrus High School varsity football team, led by head coach Daryl Nobles and athletic director Lita Stanton, traveled to Ocala to face West Port High School. For much of the night, it looked like any other high school football game. Then one moment changed everything, transforming the contest into a lesson in compassion, faith, and true sportsmanship.

I first learned about it Saturday morning, before heading out to another athletic event. A post was circulating on social media in Marion County, shared by families who had seen firsthand what happened after a West Port player went down with a serious injury.

Ocala’s Official Word of Mouth shared this message:

“We had a player down on the West Port side and it was serious. The Citrus players all lined up, down on one knee, praying for our player. That is what I call SPORTSMANSHIP!! I had to take this picture. I’ve been in the football world a long time and I’ve never seen a team or coaches act this way. Way to go, coaches and players, showing concern for our player!”

Reading those words, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Proud of the young men who chose empathy over rivalry, proud of the coaches who cultivated that kind of character, and proud of a school culture that teaches values lasting far beyond the field.

I clipped the original post, added a few reflections of my own, and shared it online. What I thought would be a small gesture struck a chord far wider than expected. By the end of the weekend, nearly 25,000 people had seen the story. Nearly 1,000 expressions of gratitude poured in and almost 100 people shared it—not just from our community but from people across the state and beyond.

At the center of it all was Citrus High’s own Cason Davis, who helped lead his teammates in prayer for their injured opponent.

Head coach Daryl Nobles later explained how it unfolded:

“After the play, when we realized there was an injury, we took a knee as usual. I walked over like I normally do, and the West Port coach told me it was serious. I overheard the trainer say they were calling for an ambulance, so I asked the coach if he’d be alright with our players praying for him, as our players asked if they could when he was taken off the field. He said of course. Our players went out to the hash, ready to show support. The trainer ended up moving the player to the sideline instead, so we clapped for him and then returned to restart the game.”

Athletic director Lita Stanton shared her pride as well:

“As the athletic director, I couldn’t be more proud of my coaches and players for their display of sportsmanship and empathy. I was taken back when they all lined up and started praying. To me, these actions are far more important than any score on the scoreboard.”

Her words cut to the heart of what high school athletics are truly about. Wins and losses fade, but lessons of empathy, unity, and respect shape young people for life.

As someone blessed to serve in athletics—as a coach, a parent, a member of the FHSAA sectional appeals committee, and now as a school board member—I can say with certainty that what happened in Ocala is why these programs matter. After-school activities, whether athletics, arts, or academics, aren’t just about sharpening a skill or winning a trophy. They’re about discipline, teamwork, resilience. They’re about learning to face both triumph and adversity. They’re about building character.

Moments like this prove that the lessons are sinking in. They remind us that communities are watching, that values are being passed on, and that leadership—whether from a coach, an athletic director, or a teammate like Cason—makes a real difference.

In a time when negative headlines often dominate our feeds, this story stands as a refreshing reminder: young people are getting it right. There was no grandstanding, no search for attention—just simple compassion for an opponent in pain.

That’s the kind of moment that sticks with you. That’s the kind of story that strengthens a community. And that’s the kind of example that shapes the future, both on and off the field.

So here’s to the Citrus High School Hurricanes—to Coach Nobles, to Athletic Director Stanton, to the school administration, and most of all, to the young men on that field Friday night. You reminded us all that high school sports are about more than chasing wins. They are about raising up good young people who learn teamwork, resilience, and the courage to do what’s right. And if along the way a great athlete or two emerges, that’s just a bonus.

Because in the end, it’s not about the final score—it’s about who you become in the process. Well done, Citrus High.

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