'It goes beyond just that touchdown': Port Huron High celebrates annual Victory Day

Bryson Coronado had a smile stretched across his face as he ran the football into the end zone at Memorial Stadium Friday night. Behind him, his brother, Brandon Coronado, a senior on Port Huron High School's football team, threw his hands in the air in celebration.

"Touchdown, Port Huron," an announcer called over the stadium's PA system as the band broke into the school's fight song.

For Bryson Coronado, who has Down syndrome, it was an opportunity to get a taste of what it's like to play high school football.

"Sometimes they don't get to have chances to play real football," Brandon Coronado said. "He never gets a chance to hang out with his brother and do stuff with his brother. I think it's awesome I get to do something with my brother."

Bryson Coronado was one of over 70 special needs kids to participate in the sixth annual Victory Day at Memorial Stadium.

During the event, special needs kids are paired with a football player from Port Huron High School. They walk them onto the field, where their name is announced and they're handed a football. The kids then run the ball down the field for a touchdown, which is celebrated by the band playing the fight song.

Before taking the field for their touchdown, each kid and their mentor were announced as they ran through a tunnel made by the school's freshman football team. Games of catch were played and drills were run throughout the stadium. Some students, paired with the school's cheerleaders, were taught various cheers to  performed.

Port Huron High School football coach Dan Perkins said the event is about giving a special moment to special needs kids.

"It's a special time when you get down on the field," Perkins said. "The smiles on the faces are just incredible."

Perkins said the team participates as a way to extend goodwill towards the community while also being able to act as a mentor for others.

"It goes beyond just that touchdown," Perkins said. "It's just a great thing for everybody."

Contact Brian Wells at (810) 357-8668 or bwells@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @bmwellsphoto.