Garrett blessed WO-S on an off field

[Gabe]

Remembering a field general

Garrett blessed Mustangs
on and off the field

By Van Wade
The Orange Leader


WEST ORANGE — West Orange-Stark offensive coordinator Toby Foreman, with watery eyes and eyes that didn’t get much rest the night before, summed it up best Saturday morning when he said “It’s tough to say that I am no longer Reggie Garrett’s offensive coordinator but Reggie has the best one in the business now, and that’s Jesus.”
An entire school district is in mourning of the superb Mustang senior quarterback, who collapsed and died Friday night during WO-S’ 27-7 home-opening win against Jasper.
Garrett fell on the sidelines after hooking up with receiver and long-time friend Mark Roberts on a 13-yard touchdown pass early in the second period.
Garrett died at Baptist Hospital Orange at about 9:30 p.m. after reaching the hospital an hour earlier.
“It’s just a numb feeling, everyone here is numb,” expressed Foreman. “One second you see Reggie with that big old grin he has and he’s giving me that low five we always do when he comes off the field after a score and then he’s down. The last pass he throws was a touchdown, we’ll always remember that.”
One former Mustang will always remember the first touchdown pass Garrett tossed.
Josh Rhodes, Garrett’s cousin and a 2009 WO-S graduate and a good receiver in his own right, hauled in Garrett’s first-ever TD toss in a 36-8 bidistrict playoff win against Coldspring in 2008. Garrett, a sophomore then, had been moved up to the varsity and connected with his cousin late in the game.
“What I remember the most about that touchdown was the celebration we had after that,” said Rhodes. “We jumped up and down and hugged and were being loud. It may not have been the most beautiful pass, it was tipped, but to me, it was awesome because he was like a little brother to me.”
Rhodes said the family was struggling but will persevere.
“It’s so tough, so many emotions are running through our heads right now,” said Rhodes. “Our church family is really keeping everyone strong. The community has been so strong. The Mustang Family, what more can you say about that, they’re with us all the way. Right now, you just don’t know what else to say other than we loved Reggie so much.”
Long-time Mustang head coach Dan Hooks wasn’t at the fieldhouse Saturday morning but did release this statement to all media outlets:
“On behalf of the West Orange-Stark coaching staff, and myself, we want to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Reggie Garrett. Words can not express how devastated we are that a promising young man’s life has been taken so suddenly. Reggie, was a great representation of a Mustang both on and off the field. He had a gentle smile and a kind heart. He will be sorely missed and in his death, he has left a big void in all of us.
It is through our faith, and the strength and guidance of the great support system of the Mustang family, friends and the people of Orange, that we will with time understand the impact that this young man’s death has had on all of us. We do not have any details right now of the cause of his death nor have any funeral arrangements been made at this time. As they become available we will pass them along. We are not looking ahead at anything right now, just dealing with the reality of the tragedy and will take it one day at a time.
Again, our thoughts and prayers are with the Garrett family in this most difficult time.” Dan Hooks.
Garrett was having an unbelievable senior season in guiding the Mustangs.
He got his feet “wet” last year, leading a young Mustang squad to the playoffs. He completed 90-of-180 passes for 1,314 yards and 11 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while rushing for 439 yards and 11 more TDs.
This year, with a much-improved offensive line and a senior-oriented team, Garrett was flourishing.
He completed 23-of-40 passes for 479 yards and seven TDs with just one pick. His buddy Roberts benefited the most as he stands at 15 receptions for 396 of those yards and six TDs.
“The confidence Reggie brought to the table this year was amazing,” said Foreman. “He had a good year last year but once offseason came around and we watched him work, we knew this year was going to be phenomenal. He was such a mild-mannered kid and wasn’t real vocal last year. Ever since offseason, 7-on-7, those first practices, you knew he was the man in charge. He was always superb on the field but it was his off-the-field leadership that was paving the way for us. He was still mild-mannered and neat, but he was getting loud.”
Garrett had a strong cerebral mind and caught on to things quick.
“At WO-S over all these years, we’ve had some pretty advanced knowledge as far as our play-calling goes,” said Foreman. “This year, I honestly feel like we had more installed than ever because it was all due to Reggie. He was so darn intelligent. He’d come to the sidelines and knew what I was thinking way before I could spit it out.”
Garrett was a workhorse, no make it a “Work Stang” , on and off the field.
“His work habits on and off the field were as good as anybody we’ve ever had here,” said long-time defensive assistant coach Mark Foreman. “I’m not sure exactly what number he is but he’s in the Top 10 in his class. He was such a tremendous role model for all of our younger kids. This group of kids, and you know when they have it, has such great chemistry and togetherness. They remind me of a chicken coop and Reggie was the head chicken. Where we go from here is going to be a big question because Reggie was our heart and soul. It’s going to be a tough deal because we all loved him and are going to miss him so darn much.”
Toby Foreman will miss the player in Garrett but will miss him as a young man even more.
“The sky was the limit for Reggie,” said Foreman. “That grin of his, I just can’t get that out of my mind. When I went to the hospital last night and saw him, he looked so normal and I was just like ‘Reggie, wake up buddy, wake up.’ He was such a great person and has such a tremendous family. He would do anything for anybody and we want the family to know that we will do anything for them from now to eternity.”
Garrett was definitely on college teams’ radars.
Houston, where receiver Roberts verbally committed to before the season, was making a strong push of late as were both Louisiana-Lafayette and McNeese State.
“Reggie would’ve been a good one at the next level,” said Mark Foreman. “I’ll tell anybody that the way he went out and performed in those first 2 1/2 games this year, any team in America would want him. That’s how good he played.”
While funeral arrangements remain pending for Garrett, the Mustangs have made a schedule change. WO-S will not play Giddings at all in a non-district game this Saturday in Conroe.
“We contacted Giddings and they fully understand,” said Mark Foreman. “Where we go after that with our game here against Kirbyville, we just don’t know. It’s going to be a long healing process. As a Mustang family, we just want to thank all the folks from the surrounding schools for the support they’re giving us at this time. The outpouring of love we’ve received is growing and growing and the young man definitely deserves it.”
Before Toby Foreman departed the fieldhouse Friday night, he went and checked out Garrett’s locker.
“Typical Reggie, he had a half of a Subway sandwich that I know he was just going to tear up after the game,” said Foreman. “Then you see how all of his stuff was folded tight and neat. Neat, that nailed it right there. Reggie was a neat kid.”

[the-riot07]

GREAT thread! I just passed by the stadium and there were about 100 people out there paying their respect's to Reggie! Just so sad!

[kicker]

I remember that first td pass he threw. We were sitting in the stands watching this fresh off jv player and thinking wow, this kid is gonna be good. That was 4 years ago. I am still in shock. I don't know what to do. I just hope the kids can understand that God has a plan for each and every one of us. RIP Reggie, from Mustang to Mustang.112%