D’Iberville storms field to honor special player at final game

October 10, 2023

Ansley Brent,

It was an evening to remember under the Monday night lights at Warrior Stadium.

The D’Iberville junior varsity football program celebrated the end of their season on the gridiron hosting St. Martin.

The Warriors ended their season with a huge win — but the final score wasn’t what mattered to the D’Iberville community.

Tyler Hunter is a 10th grader at D’Iberville High School who has intellectual disabilities and currently serves as one of the football managers.

Tyler is known for greeting students in the morning before class with his fun dancing, high fiving and fist bumps!

Monday night, it was finally Tyler’s turn to be cheered for.

He had the chance to suit up and proudly wear D’Iberville across his chest as he scored not once but twice in the matchup!

The victory celebration says it all after Tyler successfully completed a two-point conversion.

“It feels good!” Tyler said. “I play football here and my coach lets me play every day. I’m the best football player in the whole world!”

Coach Josh Ladner said being able to do this for Tyler is everything.

“As a coach, I don’t know if I’ve seen anything more rewarding that what I’ve seen tonight,” Ladner said. “He’s been so excited. I tell my kids all the time how lucky we are and how blessed with are to be able to play football, and that’s all he’s talked about for weeks.

“I told him he was going to play against St. Martin and he’d say ‘Coach I got one more week, I’ve got one more day, I’ve got one more hour,’ so he counted it down and really that’s how we all should be honestly. We should appreciate every second and he truly does. It’s very refreshing to see.”

To finish off the incredible moment, the Warriors let Tyler in again during the final game, ending the night with a big touchdown run.

D’Iberville reflected the love and support Tyler always gives to them by storming the field after his outstanding game.