Showing Leadership outside the Friday Night Lights.

Hall of Fame Football Coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Leadership is not just one quality, but rather a blend of many qualities; and while no one individual possesses all of the needed talents that go into leadership, each man can develop a combination to make him a leader.”

The game of football takes many different leaders, including coaches, players, and all the support staff of an organization. On Friday night, many leaders led their teams victory over Rockford East.

On Saturday, October 3, 2025, at 9 am, the leaders of the Hononegah Football Organization may have demonstrated more leadership qualities than they did under the Friday night lights of Swanson Stadium. 

Forty-plus Hononegah Football players and coaches arrived on the campus of Rock Valley College to support and cheer on hundreds of cancer survivors and their families and friends for the Making Strides of Rockford walk.

As this was my first chance to cover this incredible event, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Well, I promise you, when I tell you the pride I got from seeing these young men and the coaches who lead them at this event. 

This group of leaders from our community stood across the starting bridge and cheered, yelled, gave high fives, and brought energy and smiles to everyone who crossed near them. 

Speaking with a small group of players before the event got underway, they discussed how much fun the event was and why it was important for them to attend. When the PA announcer asked who had been touched by cancer, nearly every person in attendance raised their hand (1 in 8 women is affected by cancer at some point in their lives-That’s a staggering number).

Finally, thank you to Coach Brian Zimmerman, his staff, and all the players for allowing me to follow and have a front row seat to what leadership looks like. 

Check out our Facebook page to see our video reel of the day!

#Hono Proud