CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – On Friday, April 12, the Northwest High Vikings traveled to Clarksville High for a regional matchup with the Wildcats. While CHS won the game, both teams came together to honor former Vikings softball coach Blake Lyons, who is currently fighting his own battle with cancer.
In 2022-23, during his second season with the Vikings, Lyons led Northwest High to their first regional tournament appearance since the 1980’s. During that same season, Lyons came up with the idea of a cancer awareness game, and asked CHS head coach Brian Rush and the Wildcats to join him. Rush responded with a resounding yes, and a tradition was born.
After the Vikings season came to an end last year, Lyons was diagnosed with cancer, and had to step down from his position as head softball coach. Coach Rush, who quickly became friends with Lyons, was honored to keep this tradition going, sporting a shirt that said, “Fight with the heart of a lion.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to be a part of this,” Rush said. “When he asked us to join us in this game, we were all in. We’re teaching the girls that there are bigger things in life then just softball.”
Lyons made an appearance during the pregame ceremony, where he was given an honorary game ball. Lyons delivered a powerful message to the girls, and said he was overwhelmed by the support. It was a night where the color of the jersey didn’t matter, because we’re all on the same team in the fight against cancer.
“The fact that Coach Lyons started this… I just want to keep doing this every year,” said Northwest head coach Greg Clark, who served as an assistant under Lyons. “It puts a spotlight on this issue and helps us show we care.”