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Kenny Fey

Pendleton High School's John Michael Gibson looks over the defense at the line of scrimmage during a scrimmage at the Daniel Day Jamboree, last Friday in Central. The Bulldogs open their regular season on Friday, going on the road to face Seneca at 7:30 p.m.

PENDLETON — The world seemed to stop for the Pendleton High School football team on Tuesday morning when freshman Avery Robinson passed away unexpectedly, but the Bulldogs are doing their best to get ready for their season opener at Seneca on Friday night.

Pendleton head coach Paul Sutherland said that, naturally, a lot has been put into perspective following the untimely loss of Robinson, and that regaining focus heading into the Seneca game is certainly going to be a challenge.

“We've been pulled in a number of different directions, and it's going to take every ounce of all our coaches to pull this thing back together because we're going to kick off Friday night whether we really want to or feel like it or not,” he said. “It's going to take the effort of everyone to just get everything channeled back and going in the same direction.”

But even in what has likely been the most trying time of his life, Pendleton senior Harold Robinson, Avery’s brother, stressed to his teammates on Tuesday night and early Wednesday that he wants nothing more than his team to be ready to play come 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

And for a team searching to find its footing, senior quarterback John Michael Gibson said it has been a huge help to get a blessing and encouragement from Robinson so soon after the tragedy.

“Not many people were focused (on playing), but Harold even said at his house that he can't wait till Friday,” Gibson said. “With all that's going on, his mind is still on the game and the mindset is that we've still got a game to play.”

Robinson actually attempted to attend classes on Wednesday in Pendleton and hoped to practice with his team, but understandably left around lunchtime. Although he didn’t practice with the team following school, he has already indicated to Sutherland that he has every intention of being in uniform on Friday night in Seneca.

His family also plans to be in attendance at the game, making for what could be an emotional night for Pendleton, which is something Sutherland has already made a point of warning his team about, when it will likely being playing with a serious chip on its shoulder.

“What you really don't want to happen, and I'm going to try to convince them of this, you still have to concentrate and focus,” he said. “It's not a matter of just going out there and going crazy and being emotional. Emotions are part of it, but they're not the biggest part.”

While Sutherland hopes his team keeps its emotions in check when the season gets kicked off, it already seems like Robinson, whose pain can’t even be expressed right now, has had the kind of calming influence on his teammates they’ll need to stay focused and under control against the Bobcats.

“Just him dealing with all this and just showing how strong he is inside, not just as a football player but as a person, it just helps a lot,” Gibson said.

“I feel like we can get right back on track, and I know Harold's parents will be there Friday supporting us, and hopefully Harold will be there with us.”