The Woodlands High School Highlanders receive encouragement from family of Grant Milton

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- Thousands upon thousands of people are thinking about the Dec. 17 state championship game between The Woodlands Highlanders and Lake Travis Cavaliers, perhaps none more so than the family of Grant Milton.

Grant will not be on the field with his Highlanders team, as he continues his battle to recover from a traumatic brain injury sustained during a Nov. 26 game in Waco.

"Grant is 18-years-old. A senior, on the cusp of life," said Grant's uncle, Blake Milton. "He has been on a 'moving sidewalk' up to now and was about to take that step on to the solid pavement of life. That rite of passage has been taken from him. Now, although we remain hopeful, his future is an uncertain one"

The camaraderie and support in the local community has been outstanding, but it goes even further than that.

Spectators at the Dec. 10 game in Austin against the Allen Eagles showed Eagles fans waving #21 placards.

And the story is nationwide. Disneyland in California recently ran a message on their marquee reading "Grant Milton, pulling for you!! Love Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy."

That being said, Blake knows The Woodlands Highlanders have a big job to do right here in Texas.

"Grant wanted this for his team, above all things," Blake said. "In addition to the title, the guys are fighting for something totally unanticipated, something bigger than life, which gives us some pretty good rocket fuel."

Chance Mock, Woodlands Online sports commentator and co-founder of Woodlands Hits, couldn't agree more.

"This is a team that is playing for their brother Grant Milton," Mock said.

As a former Highlander himself, Mock, who was coached by Mark Schmid during his days at The Woodlands High School, has a message for the team.

"Go out and have fun, enjoy it, listen to the crowd," Mock said in a Facebook video post. "Be great, because you can be. Be great for the moment, but know this does not define you. This is just a part of you.

"No matter the outcome, we love each and every one of you, and what you have done for the community. Thank you for allowing us to be along for the ride."

Blake said he hopes Grant's story doesn't diminish after the big game.

"The backstory is much bigger than just Grant's injury and bigger than any one football game," Blake said. "I would love to see the attention continue regarding the larger picture."

Earlier this week, Grant was transferred from a hospital in Waco to a medical facility in The Woodlands. His father, Miles, recently posted this on Grant's CaringBridge page:

He has a team of doctors, nurses and therapists who will focus on preparing his mind and body for rehabilitation. They will try to wean him off o the ventilator within the next week. He is over-breathing the ventilator now so they feel he should do ok with the transition. The longer he's on ventilation, the more he is exposed to infection such as pneumonia. While not much has changed physically for him in the last week it is indeed a hopeful step to move forward. We are still anxiously awaiting his awakening but know that it's in God's timing not ours. Being back on home turf feels good. The routines, of course are different now but at least there is familiarity in surroundings. His schoolmates are wrapping up this week with finals and his team is preparing to play in the Texas 6A state title game Saturday night. Grant loved game week and especially game day! I know he is with his team in spirit. Admittedly, it's difficult watching life go by without him but God has a bigger plan, he always does.

For more information about the game, click here.

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