The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS – The Bath County Chargers are remembering one of their own.
Before Friday night’s Region C playoff opener with the Narrows Green Wave, the Chargers unveiled a new addition to their helmets, an insignia bearing No. 77 in memory of a former teammate who passed away too soon.
Christopher Jason Loan toiled during the mid-90s in the trenches for the Charger football team. The 1995 graduate died recently, but he is remembered by all who knew him.
Chris was an avid sports fan who spent his weekends in the pits, working on race cars. He also loved the outdoors, country music, and, of course, football.
At the time of his funeral, he was remembered by a friend as a person who would truly “give you the shirt off his back.” Chris is remembered as a gentle giant who will be missed by the Charger football family and all who knew and loved him in his hometown of Millboro.
For several years, WCHG has bestowed the Unsung Player of the Game award to a player that the broadcast team feels was most outstanding in a role not readily apparent to the casual observer. This Charger plays hard but is seldomly mentioned by the public address announcer or seen in the
box score.
This is an award that perfectly fits a player like Chris Loan.
Before Friday’s game, Chris’ mother, Tina, was on hand to help dedicate the first-ever Chris Loan Unsung Player of the Year Award, which will be given out for the very first time at this year’s football banquet.
Mrs. Loan presented a plaque to Bath County coach Will Fields before Friday night, and that plaque will be awarded to the first winner from this year’s team during next month’s football banquet.
For the record, last night’s Unsung Player of the Game was Jason Waller, a lineman just like Chris Loan.
