Westbury football honors teammate Matthew Mitchell, who passed away suddenly this week
Westbury's Kahlil Parker holds up the jersey of Matthew Mitchell, recently passed football player, before a high school football game between Westbury and East Meadow on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Credit: Howard Simmons
Brandon Chavez dropped to a knee and pointed to the sky after a touchdown. Wayne Olivier did the same after his score. Jason Clarke had “For Matthew” written in eye black across his face.
Westbury football came together Friday night to honor former teammate Matthew Mitchell, who died overnight Wednesday into Thursday following an allergic reaction. The 2026 graduate was a captain and starting running back and linebacker for the Green Dragons before attending Lead Prep Academy in Michigan.
“We just wanted to fight for our brother,” Chavez said. “We all knew that Matthew would want everyone to play. He wouldn’t want anybody to sit out. He’d want everybody on that field.”
Before the Green Dragons faced East Meadow, Westbury displayed Mitchell’s photograph on the scoreboard as the public address announcer read his accomplishments.
For more on Westbury's emotional game, check out Jared Valluzzi's full story.
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