"Coach Speak" with Angola's Amstutz

ANGOLA, Ind. (WANE) - The latest edition of "Coach Speak" takes you to an emotional night in Angola.

Angola is a community still healing from the tragic accident that shocked the town back in March.  Four high school seniors were killed in a car accident returning home from Spring Break.  Alexx Bauer, Riley Zimmer, Evan Weaver and Matthew Roe all died when their car collided with another on 1-65 in Alabama.  Bauer and Zimmer were members of the football team.

Back in July, the Angola football team travelled to Hoover, Alabama to compete in one of the most elite 7-on-7 tournaments in the country.  The team stopped by the crash site while on the trip.

Friday was the home opener for the Hornets - the first home game since the accident.

With plenty of emotions surrounding the game, the Angola Four were honored with a moment of silence before the game and family members of each of the boys were present in the locker room before the game and also helped lead the team onto the field as they prepared to face Eastside.  Coach Amstutz read a piece of writing to his team written by Riley Zimmer that dated back almost two years to the day.

On the first play of the game, Austin Bauer, wearing his older brother Alexx's #10, connected on a swing pass to Robby Boots, wearing #9 to honor his close friend Riley.  After the play was over, the officials called timeout and both players removed their jerseys and handed them to Alexx and Riley's mothers.  It will be the last time those two numbers will ever be on the field at Angola under coach Amstutz.

Angola would end up falling to Eastside 24-18, but it's a night that will be remembered for so much more than just a football game.

Coach Amstutz, his wife Shay and daughter Averi welcomed a new addition to their family on July 28, 2011 - a baby girl.  Her name is Alexxa Riley named in honor of the coach's fallen players.

The Fourever Friends Memorial Scholarship has been set up in the boys' honor.