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The Cardinal Football season came to an end Friday night, October 24th, at home against OABCIG. The season may not have produced the wins that the team desired, but the players always competed with passion and integrity. The highlight of the season came at this last home game when Jak Knudsen, a fifth grade student at Treynor Elementary, was allowed to run a kickoff return in for a touchdown. Jak was diagnosed at 5 months old with a "folded retina" in both eyes, and at 6 months, diagnosed with a rare eye disease called FEVR.  After traveling over 12 hours to Royal Oak, MI to see the world's leading expert in this disease, Jak had immediate laser surgery. He returned every three months for the next three years, before transfering to a recommended doctor in Denver until he was nine. He now sees an Omaha doctor, whom he will need to see every year for the rest of his life.

Jak has overcome a lot of disorders, including being bllind in one eye and 20/200 vision in another. Jak is limited in what sport he can play, to reduce potential injuries from a blow to the head.  He has two brothers, Trevor and Kyle, who both play football. As he has watched his brothers play, Jak has asked repeatedly when he gets a turn. With that came the idea to contact the coaches to see if something could be arranged.  On short notice, Coach Owens contacted the staff of OABCIG and arranged for a kickoff return by Jak. It was a heartwarming event, emphasized by a comment from a parent via Facebook: "Our 4-year-old watched Jak's run last night at the game and today when he was playing football with his brother, he kept saying he was going to 'run it in like Jak!' Thanks for being an inspiration to all of us, Jak!"

Enjoy Joe Knudsen's videos below capturing the highlights of Jak's run that night.

Warm-ups with the Treynor High School Football Team
http://youtu.be/BCZQTNKWC0o

Jak's Pre/Post Game
http://youtu.be/yFFDi6UH1u0

Jak's touchdown run (bleacher view)
http://youtu.be/kelLB17KRvI

Jak's touchdown run (on-field camera)
http://youtu.be/sm0oRawdsI4

Jak's touchdown run (GoPro camera)
http://youtu.be/uqDV0WTGgoM

Pictures from the Lawton-Bronson game 8/29/14