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Aidan Hopewell is running behind the bravest lead blocker around. Madeira’s star senior wide receiver is putting up the best season in Cincinnati Hills League history.
The best part? Younger brother Peyton surprised the family when he joined the team, with no tackle football under his belt.
Mom and dad were not exactly sure how long this new interest would last.
“He was like, ‘Mom, look at my muscles!’ and we were like, ‘Oh yeah, great!'” Jenny Hopewell said.
“He kept sticking it out. Then you start getting excited for him,” said Peyton’s father, Pete.
The day of Peyton’s first team scrimmage was hours that the Hopewell family will never forget.
A postgame routine freshman physical resulted in rushing to Children’s Hospital. Oncologists uncovered a cancerous tumor on Peyton’s right kidney that weighed 10 pounds.
The mass was removed within two days, and 28 weeks of chemotherapy are now underway.
Amid the diagnosis, Peyton has been to all of Aidan’s games for Madeira, cheering on his brother and their team from the sideline.
“Extremely emotional,” Pete Hopewell said. “That’s been a big motivator for him. He hasn’t missed a Friday night.”
Madeira football coach Chris Stewart is not content with Peyton just standing on the sideline. Peyton was named team captain and ahead of every game this season, the Hopewell brothers standing together at midfield.
“It’s been great,” Peyton said. “Blast music before our games. We are all crazy, we are all hyped.”
Recently, another surprise happened when the Mustangs’ rival Reading ditched their helmets behind and presented the Hopewell family with a check to help cover medical costs.
“A complete surprise. I was not expecting that at all. Aiden talking about it yesterday when he saw the players wearing the ‘Peyton Strong’ hats, I was like, oh my god, that was a lot,” Jenny said.
With nine weeks of treatment to go, Peyton’s resiliency is powerful, and his long-term prognosis filled with optimism.
This week, there is one goal for Peyton: rebound in time to watch round two of the playoffs for Madeira and his brother.
“When we got the win Friday night, to know we got at least one more Friday night, those two get to walk out on the field together, we are embracing every second right now,” Pete said.
For more information on how you can help the Hopewell family, click here.
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