Usually Ike Ditzenberger runs the ball into the end zone at practice, not in games. But on Monday during a junior-varsity clash against Lake Stevens, Ditzenberger of Snohomish High School scored a touchdown.
Ditzenberger, a Snohomish football player who has Down syndrome, ran the ball about 25 yards for the touchdown, weaving around Lake Stevens players who could have tackled Ike (5-foot-5, 150 pounds) but instead let him enjoy the thrill of a TD.
Last month I wrote a story about Ike Ditzenberger and his incredible family. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had since I started writing for The Herald.
This afternoon I got an e-mail from Herald reader Lisa Grundl, who was at the JV game on Monday when Ike scored. Here is how Lisa described Ike’s TD play.
“The entire (crowd) was standing, cheering and in tears — both teams and coaches were cheering — it was an incredible moment — where no one cared about the score for a moment — just about giving a boy his dream!”
“It was incredible — while Lake Stevens has always been our ‘rival’ — from now on, in my mind, they are all heroes.”
Here is a video clip of Ike’s big play. Thanks to Tony Soper for sending the video link to me.
Snohomish football player Ike Ditzenberger scores a TD
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