Football was, indeed, very important to William “Liam” Sloan, but he will be remembered for being a kind, caring teen who was a friend to so many in the Skyview community

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

They played for him.

They cried for him.

Then they triumphed for him.

The Skyview Storm, with the heaviest of hearts, played in honor of teammate William “Liam” Sloan, who died in his sleep from natural causes in the week leading up to Saturday’s game against Richland.

“Playing today without him was agonizing,” said Chris Phillips, one of Liam’s closest friends. “But I knew he was watching over me, especially those last plays.”

Liam Sloan, the right tackle, and Phillips, the right guard, always lined up together, side-by-side for the Storm. They were also always next to each other in the weight room, and they were there for one another outside of football, too. 

“He was a wonderful person. He helped me through a lot of things. He had my back, all the way,” Phillips said, choking back tears. “It’s just so sad that he’s gone.”

The Storm had the blessing of Liam’s family to take the field Saturday late afternoon at Kiggins Bowl. In fact, family members, wearing T-shirts with Liam’s No. 70, were brought out to the 50-yard line for the coin toss with the team captains. They carried Liam’s jersey with them.

Don Sheets, Liam’s grandfather, said the family was adamant that this game be played today, just a couple of days after Liam’s passing.

“They had to do it,” Sheets said. “If they hadn’t been doing this, it would have been dishonoring my grandson.”

Sheets and the rest of the family felt the love from the Skyview community, from Friday’s vigil on campus to Saturday’s pre-game ceremony, and then throughout Saturday’s game.

There were Skyview Strong signs, and candles were placed to make out the No. 70 in front of the home stands.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s very overwhelming,” Sheets said. “And very appreciative. You can feel the caring and the love and how my grandson impacted not just the team but the whole student body.”

“He’s one of the greatest kids who has come through the doors,” Skyview coach Steve Kizer said. 

Kizer shared a story from Thursday. He and one of his assistant coaches were talking about Liam just moments before learning of Liam’s death. The Storm started the season 3-0 but had lost back-to-back games, and the coaches were trying to find positive reinforcement for the team to prepare for the stretch run.

“We said, ‘If everybody would play like Sloan, we’d be in great shape,’” Kizer said. “He practices hard. He outworks everybody. He wins every sprint. Always a big smile. I’ve never seen him frown. I’ve never heard him swear. Maybe he does, but I’ve never heard it. I’ve never seen him in a bad mood. He’s just a top kid.”

Liam’s grandfather can attest that Liam was, indeed, a young man of high character.

“Liam was a very soft person. I don’t mean that in the sense of weak. I mean … caring,” Sheets said. “I can still hear him in my head, ‘Hi Grandpa’ and giving me a big hug.”

A couple weeks ago, there was a family gathering that also included some friends of friends, people who Liam did not know until that day. As people were saying goodbye, Liam was giving his usual hugs to family members, then asked the people he just met if he could give them a goodbye hug as well.

“That’s the type of person he was,” Sheets said.

The Richland community also expressed their love for Liam and the Skyview football program. 

“Saturday’s game will be played together in honor of William, his family, and friends,” the Bombers posted on social media before the game.

Skyview received the opening kickoff, and then brought its offense out with just 10 men in formation. No right tackle. The Storm allowed the play clock to run down, and a delay of game penalty was called. Richland declined the penalty, and players from both sides greeted each other one more time before resuming the game.

“I really appreciated that,” Phillips said of how the Richland team handled the situation, as well. “It meant a lot to me. I don’t know how to explain it.”

The game itself was a classic battle between two strong programs, with Skyview recording a 21-14 victory. Richland took the early lead, but Skyview’s Gavin Packer tied the game with a 77-yard interception return for a touchdown. Packer then had an incredible catch in the end zone just before halftime to give Skyview a 14-7 lead.

Richland ended up tying the game in the fourth quarter. After both defenses shut down their opponents, Skyview got one more opportunity in regulation. 

“This game had me worried, but he got us,” Phillips said, referring to that feeling that Liam had his teammates’ backs once again. “He got us.”

Quarterback Doogie Poindexter found Packer wide open for the go-ahead touchdown with 43 seconds left in the game. Richland’s last chance was intercepted in the end zone by Micah Robison, and the Storm offense, with Phllips on the offensive line, got one more play — Victory Formation.

A very emotional Victory Formation.

“He was a wonderful human being,” Phillips said. “He cared for a lot of people. It was an honor playing by his side.”