Kenton's special coin toss

MILAN TWP. — In a way, the Edison Chargers' football team can credit a young boy and a loyal fan enrolled in the district for a monumental victory on Sept. 2. Kenton Gilbert, 5, took part in a pregame coin toss ceremony in which its outcome determines who gets the ball first. Fortunately for the home team, and Kenton serving as a good luck charm, Edison began on offense. The squad quickly scored a touchdown on the opening possession, which set a tone for what followed. The Chargers never relinquished the early lead, securing a 28-7 victory over Western Reserve for a win in its home opener. "I couldn't be more proud of Kenton being a Charger and just him being himself," said Israele Davis, Kenton's aunt and legal guardian. Israele attended the game with Kyle Davis, her husband and Kenton's uncle. Along with Kenton, Israele and Kyle live in Milan with their four other children. Kenton's joyous moment factored into other pageantry occurring this past Friday night, which also featured Edison retiring jersey No. 27 in honor of the late Maxton Soviak. The 2017 Edison High School graduate and Navy Corpsman died a hero on Aug. 26, 2021, helping evacuate Americans and Afghan citizens, including children, at risk of being killed by the Taliban. "We are honored for being able to share that night with Max and his family," Israele said. "To see those football players holding his jersey with Kenton out there, it's a moment we will never forget." How it came to be Normally, when parents get called into the principal's office — and especially on the first day of school — it's cause for worry. So, on Aug. 24, and immediately after Israele dropped off Kenton for his first day of preschool at Edison Elementary School, she didn't know what to expect when principal David Hermes asked her for a meeting. To her delight, Hermes excitedly asked Israele if Kenton could flip the coin prior to Edison's home-opener football contest. Israele couldn't say "yes" fast enough. "Kenton is an awesome kid who is determined to overcome the challenges he is facing," said Hermes, who pushed Kenton's wheelchair out onto the 50-yard line, where they were surrounded by captains of both teams and officials."It was a special moment for him, his family and Edison Elementary School." Hermes then filled in Israele on some background. Thom Dartt, one of the officials assigned for the Sept. 2 football game at Edison, asked Edison's athletic director, Nick Wenzel, to identify a local student who deserved some recognition. Wenzel then spoke with Hermes, who nominated Kenton. A couple of weeks prior, Dartt — who runs the nonprofit Perfect Fit Athletic Foundation, which helps high school athletes with exposure, recruiting guidance along with communication and life skills — coordinated a similar on-field gesture for Jackson Hinckley-Clark, 11, of Norwalk, for the Truckers' opening week contest in Norwalk. Jackson, who was born with serious health issues keeping him in the hospital for 15 months after birth, was greeted by the five-man officiating crew for the game. And, like Jackson, Kenton received an Ohio-made Wilson official high school football along with a regulation penalty flag and Fox 40 officiating whistle from referee supplier Fleming's out of Columbus. He also posed for pictures with the five-man officiating crew. Regarding its inception, Dartt said, "It would be a way to reach out to communities and find common ground, especially with the frayed relationships between fans, coaches and players and sports officials." Wherever Dartt officiates this season, he plans on honoring other children just like Jackson and Kenton, bringing them out onto the field and presenting each with football-themed gifts. "It would be a way to brighten a little boy's or girl's day when they might be going through some difficult times," Dartt said. "Our entire crew is very excited about this and we, on behalf of Fleming's and Wilson Football, look forward to making someone's evening a little bit better." Overcoming obstacles Back in 2019, Kenton was involved in a car crash that killed one person and injured others. The driver of the vehicle transporting Kenton "was under the influence of drugs and swerved into a car," Israele said. The driver ended up dying. As a result, Kenton suffered a traumatic brain injury and is partially blind in both of his eyes. He's also dealing with mobility issues, as, "He was paralyzed on his left side," Israele said. But, since then, Kenton has made incredible strides on his long road to recovery. "Right now, with his braces and shoes on, he can walk by himself with assistance. He still does need to use his walker and wheelchair," Israele said. "But he has come very far." Doctors told Israele and Kyle how Kenton would "never walk or talk or have any independence." Though Kenton continues to prove them wrong every single day. "He's on the right path," Israele said. "He is very impatient in that he always wants to walk and talk. He is, in every sense of the word a walking 'miracle.'" Last week's ceremony represented a milestone in Kenton's journey of healing. "To us, it meant acceptance," Israele said. "Everyone there, the people at his school, they accept Kenton for who he is. They recognize him as a loving person and a great student and not someone who has disabilities. He's a person first." He's also living proof of something else, Israele points out. "No matter how capable you are to do something, if you try, you can always make a difference in this life, whether you are 5 or 50, and Kenton is doing just that." Editor's note: Norwalk Reflector sports editor Mark Hazelwood contributed to this news story.