Before the 2023 season begins, White Hall honors late coach Ryan Mallett and teammate Ben Redix

White Hall, Arkansas — Jason Mitchell, the interim head football coach at White Hall, claimed that his team’s players had been overcoming adversity.

“These kids have been through more adversity in the past three months than most 15, 16-year-old kids need to go through,” said Coach Mitchell.

They returned to the pitch without two of their own for this season’s opening football game against Sheridan on Friday night.

Ben Redix, a senior, was fatally shot in May, a few days before his graduation.

“To not have a kid like Ben and just knowing that he may show up with a smile and ‘Hey, Coach, good luck tonight. I got you.’ That was his saying, ‘I got you. You go get it.’ Knowing he’s not going to be here hurts,” Coach Mitchell described.

Then, at the end of June, Ryan Mallett, the legendary Razorback and head football coach at White Hall, drowned in Florida.

“You know, he brought that extra juice with him. He had extra energy,” said Coach Mitchell.

The group is now paying them tribute.

The 270 Classic Trophy was retired and given to Mallett’s mother by White Hall and Sheridan. Ryan Mallett’s first victory during his first season as head coach came in this rivalry matchup.

Ben’s #5 is being retired by Coach Mitchell.

“As long as I’m here there will be nobody that wears #5 again. The jersey is hanging in his locker and nobody is going to use his locker,” said Coach Mitchell.

There will be two stickers on the helmets of every player honoring Ben and Ryan. One with the words R.M. Mallett’s initials and the hashtag #BeADawg. The #5 sticker is the additional one that is on the helmet’s back.

As visitors enter the stadium, there is also a banner honoring them both.

“I want them to go out and be kids, and know that Ben and Coach Mallett are there with us, but to go out there and be a kid and play the game they grew up playing,” said Coach Mitchell.