Fourteen Tyrone seniors will suit up for the last regular season home game of their high school football careers tonight at Gray Field.

Unfortunately, one dedicated senior will not be in full uniform and pads, and will not take the field of play with his teammates.

But not for the usual reason of injury, disciplinary action, or academic ineligibility.

Senior Evan Boone, at nineteen years of age, is too old to play high school football under Article I of the PIAA bylaws.

“I had no idea about the rule or that it was even a thing. I think the school was even unaware of the rule as well,” said Boone. “I heard the news after the JV game against Bellwood. Mr. Rhoades called me down and said he has some bad news. The PIAA called and informed the school that my birth date didn’t meet the cutoff.”

Boone’s birthday is June 13, 2003, and the cutoff date for PIAA eligibility is July 1, 2003.

He missed the cutoff by just 17 days.

The PIAA bylaws allow students to apply for a waiver but by the time the violation was discovered, it was too late.

When he first heard the news that he wouldn’t be able to play his senior season, Boone was shocked.

“At first, I thought it was just a joke until we got the news from PIAA saying I couldn’t play,” said Boone.

At that point, most players would have been angry and upset and probably would have walked away from the team. But not Evan Boone.

“Of course, Evan was very disappointed but he was adamant about doing whatever he could to help his teammates,” said Tyrone Head Coach John Franco.

Franco was determined to find a place for him to continue to contribute to the team.

“I felt very bad for Evan because it was his senior year,” said Franco, “I told him that he still was an important part of the team and he still had a role to play. We turned him into a student assistant coach and helped the other kids in their positions and helped the coaches during practices and games.”

Since having to step off the playing field, Boone has faithfully attended every practice as an unofficial assistant coach.

In fact, many players now call him “Coach Boone.”

“Coach Franco asked me if I wanted to help coach and I told him I would be more than happy to. I love the team and the guys on it, I’m gonna help in any way I can to bring a winning season,” said Boone.

That he didn’t just give up and walk away did not surprise Boone’s teammates and friends.

No matter where Boone is – on the field, in the classroom, or in the hallways – he is almost always wearing a smile. This football season would likely have been a highlight of his senior year, but Boone was determined to not let the PIAA ruling ruin his experience.

“I think it’s disappointing to miss my senior year of football, but the rules are the rules and I can’t fight it no matter how bad I want to,” said Boone.

Boone has never been the biggest, fastest, or strongest player on the team, but he has shown up year after year and put in the work.

Senior captain Dylon Brower was disappointed for Boone but glad that he never gave up.

“It’s unfair. It’s gonna suck not having Boone out on the field with us, but I’m glad we found a way to incorporate him into the team to keep him around. Our group of seniors wouldn’t be the same without him,” said Brower.

Boone has also impressed his head coach with the way he has handled himself.

“Evan has shown a lot of growth and maturity over the years and his unique role on the team this year can only help him in his future endeavors,” said Franco, “We are really proud of how Evan handled his situation and turned a negative into a positive. His teammates and coaches love and respect him and we all expect him to fly us somewhere in his 747 jet someday.”

After graduation, Boone plans to attend Edinboro University to earn an associate degree in aeronautical science.