Honoring Kody Turner

Chickasha players raise their helmets during the opening kickoff of the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner.

The Chickasha players silently raised their helmets adorned with the No. 74 during the opening kickoff against Capitol Hill last week at Chickasha High School.

It was the first home game for the Chicks since lineman Kody Turner died on Sept. 17.

The crowd stood silently as they watched the ball sail through the air into the arms of the Chicks’ return man.

Then on the first play of the game, the team honored their fallen teammate.

With a stillness in the air, Chickasha hiked the ball minus a left guard, Turner’s position. Then they took a knee.

The silence continued as quarterback Chase Rodgers handed the ball to head coach Rick VanCleave who then presented the ball to Turner’s mother, Crystal Coleman.

A somber crowd stood still as Coleman was also presented with Turner’s jersey.

The quiet continued as coach and mom embraced on the 50-yard line with the game ball in hand.

Then an emotional Coleman turned to the crowd and raised the ball in the air. The stadium erupted in a roar.

Kody Turner's mom, Crystal Coleman show the crowd the game ball before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at the Bethany, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Chickasha lines up without a left guard before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at the Bethany, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

Chickasha head coach Rick VanCleave leads the team in prayer before the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at the Bethany, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

TJ Filer touches a poster honoring Kody Turner before running onto the field at the football game between Chickasha and Capitol Hill at Chickasha High School, Friday, Oct. 1, 2010, at the Bethany, Okla. It was the first home game since the death of player Kody Turner. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

See an audio slideshow of the game here.