VERO BEACH — The Fighting Indians game Friday night was significant for several reasons, involving their playoffs and fighting a disease.
It was Vero’s second district game of the season and a win would put Vero Beach in prime position for home field advantage during the playoffs. It was also a time to for the Vero Beach community to come together and support the fight against Erdheim-Chester Disease. An extremely rare cancer-like disorder that is difficult to diagnose.
Two very special people were on hand to participate in the coin toss and raise awareness about ECD. Mike Livings, who is the son of the field’s namesake Billy Livings, was diagnosed with ECD in 2009.
”Our son Mike loves this school and was a big part of it for many years,” Mother Rosie Livings said. “And tonight is special because everyone here will get to find out more about ECD and what they can do to get the word out about this disease.”
Michael Kaline who is the cousin of Vero Beach coaches Bryan and Chris Rahal was diagnosed with the ECD in 2011.
“We grew up next to each other and did everything together as kids,” Bryan Rahal said. “And now he’s confined to a wheelchair and only weighs a hundred and some pounds. It’s been tough on our family but Michael is a fighter and we go off of his strength.”
The Vero Beach football team took the poignant coin toss and the inspirational words of their coaches to heart and jumped out to a 38-0 halftime lead. In the first Quarter Vero kicker Arron Kuh hit a 30 yard field goal and freshman running back Akeem Dixon ran for two scores.
In the second quarter Vero Beach quarterback Carter Stanley tossed an eighty yard screen pass to receiver Sean Harvey at the 7:27 mark and Dixon added another score with his third touchdown of the game. With just forty-four seconds to go in the half Stanley hit receiver Jerron Perry with a nine yard strike that put Vero up 38-0.
Stanley found Harvey again for a score in the third quarter and a 45-0 lead. The game ended with Treasure Coast scoring its only touchdown in the final minute of the game and under a running clock. Vero Beach remains undefeated on the season and 2-0 in their district.
Friday night’s game also marked the three year passing of Vero Beach coaching legend Billy Livings. Wife Rosie Livings said the game was special for several reasons.
“We came here thirty-four years ago and tonight is a big night for us,” Livings said. “I received a lovely note from band director Jim Sammons about how he misses Billy and I know the big man is with us tonight.”
