North Schuylkill High School’s star quarterback, defensive back and co-captain Jaden Leiby’s story is one of spectacular success followed by a crushing injury and now an inspiring story of determination buoyed by a community’s love and support.

It was Friday, Oct. 25. North Schuylkill was playing arch-foe Pottsville in a key Schuylkill League Division I playoff game. During the third quarter, Leiby made a tackle using the techniques he said he had used countless times before, but this time something went horribly wrong.

Leiby recalled later that although he never lost consciousness, he knew that he had suffered a terrible injury. As a hush fell over the previously animated crowd, they watched in disbelief as Leiby left the field on a stretcher with a broken neck and other major injuries. He was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in Salisbury Township near Allentown for immediate surgery.

It’s something you never expect to happen to a seemingly indestructible kid like Leiby, who was having a season and a high school career for the ages. Aside from his brilliance on the gridiron, Leiby is one of those youngsters admirers have difficulty finding enough superlatives to describe him with.

One school administrator said he is the kind of kid you would want your own son to grow up to be. Leiby is a scholar-athlete, a role model to children in the elementary school, a community volunteer and an all-around good guy admired by the student body and the community alike.

The school district, headquartered in Ashland, also includes Frackville, Ringtown, Union Township, Girardville, Gordon and Butler Township in Schuylkill County, and Conyngham Township in Columbia County.

The Leiby incident is eerily reminiscent of one on the much-acclaimed TV show “Friday Night Lights,” which aired starting in 2006 and ran for 76 episodes.

In the program’s pilot, star quarterback and defensive back senior Jason Street (played by Scott Porter) suffered a horrifying spinal injury while making a touchdown-saving tackle. The injury ended Street’s football career along with a scholarship to Notre Dame as he faced life as a possible paraplegic.

Leiby has been described as the heart of the North Schuylkill High football team. Following Leiby’s injury, his Spartan teammates persevered and defeated Pottsville 29-7, then headed to the hospital to see their friend and team leader.

Next, North Schuylkill captured the Schuylkill League championship in a tribute win for Leiby by routing Pine Grove 42-20 before losing to Tamaqua 20-0 in the PIAA playoffs, ending its season with an impressive 10-2 record.

Several weeks ago, Leiby was able to join his teammates at the school’s annual football sports banquet, and, as you might imagine, it was a very emotional occasion for him, his teammates and those who attended.

Leiby was cited for his school career-leading 2,993 rushing yards, including more than 1,000 in 2019, along with 18 touchdowns.

For Leiby, it was great to get a break from the grueling rehabilitation routine he is undergoing. At the dinner, he urged his teammates to make every play as if it were their last.

A recent photo of Leiby playing a game of throw and fetch with Nigel, the Magee Rehabilitation facility dog at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, went viral. Leiby is undergoing daily sessions to regain mobility, but he understands that it involves agonizingly slow progress — one day at a time.

From day 1, not only Jaden’s school community but thousands from across Pennsylvania have joined the cause to support Jaden and his family. The number 6 — Jaden’s jersey number — was everywhere.

The school district created T-shirts and wristbands and sold them, with 100% of the profits going to the Leiby family to help with the extraordinary expenses associated with Jaden’s treatments and recovery.

“There are not enough words to show our appreciation and how much you all mean to us,” family members said in a Facebook post. “Jaden has a long, hard journey in front of him in spinal rehabilitation, but knowing you all have his back gives him encouragement to push through the bad days and stay positive.”

You can follow updates on Jaden’s progress and how the community and state of Pennsylvania continue to support Jaden on Twitter at #Prayersfor6 and #JadenStrong.

Gino Capone, a football star at Penn State and North Schuylkill, sent a letter to fellow members of the PSU Football Letterman’s Club urging donations to “Jaden G. Leiby IRRV Trust” and mailed to: Jaden G. Leiby IRRV Trust, 296 Malones Road, Ashland, PA 17921.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com