Kechter's teamates say they carry his team number 'close to our hearts'

December 3, 1999
Web posted at: 5:35 p.m. EST (2235 GMT)

In this story: Fallen 'brother' inspires team Rebels to face off against football powerhouse RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Correspondent Ed Garsten

LITTLETON, Colorado (CNN) -- For the seven months since Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire -- killing 12 classmates and a teacher before committing suicide -- the students of Columbine High School have had little to cheer about.

But that will change Saturday when the Columbine Rebels play in their first state football championship game.

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"The accomplishments of the football team are just one of the many that have helped in the healing process," said Columbine Principal Frank D'Angelis. "It's nice to see kids smiling and be kids again."

As they face Cherry Creek, which has won the state title seven times this decade, someone will be missing from the Rebels' defense -- 16-year-old linebacker Matt Kechter, who was slain in the April 20 massacre at the school.

The Columbine team has dedicated its entire season to Kechter and has worn his No. 70 on their navy blue practice jerseys. They will wear the number on their helmets during the championship game.

Linebacker Zach Rauzi went a step further, tattooing his friend's initials "MJK" and a cross on his arm.

Kechter's memory will feed the team's competitive fire.

"You're definitely motivated by Matt because he doesn't have the opportunity to do this and we do," said linebacker Ryan Barrett, who was Kechter's best friend.

"It's hard when you lose a person, and especially when they belong to a family like the team," said player ER Wolf. "We treat ourselves as brothers and when you lose a brother, it's pretty hard."

The dead also included another member of the football team, Isaiah Shoels, who was only 4-foot-11 but could bench-press twice his weight. He was an 18-year-old senior who would have graduated last May. Kechter was a junior who had another year left to play.

It's been pretty hard in general at Columbine since the shootings, said D'Angelis, but he adds, nothing will ever be the same.

"I think we learn to cope, and I think time will heal, but we'll never forget the kids who lost their lives last year," D'Angelis said. "They'll always be with us, and I think the scars will be with us until the day we die."

It's nothing one football game, or even a championship, will heal completely, but it's a start.

Those who have been watching Columbine's playoff run had reason to believe in Kechter's spiritual influence in the quarterfinals, when the Rebels rallied from a fourth-quarter 17-0 deficit to beat Boulder's Fairview High 21-17. Afterward, the Rebels wept and chanted, "MJK! MJK! MJK!"

"After that game, I was speechless," Columbine coach Andy Lowry said. "I know God has a lot more important things to do than concern himself with a football team, but it sure took some kind of divine intervention."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.