The Rangeview football team will play host to USMC Gunner Sergeant Brian Jacklin the day before and do of its Homecoming game against Hinkley on Friday at Aurora Public Schools Stadium.
According to information provided by the Rangeview Football Booster Club, Jacklin — a member of the 1st Marine Raider Battalion USMC Special Operations Command — will serve as honorary captain for the coin toss ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff between the 1-3 Raiders and 1-4 Hinkley.
The entire Rangeview team will also hear Jacklin speak on the football field on Thursday according to head coach Justin Hoffman.
Jacklin, who did not attend Rangeview but is coming courtesy of the Marine Public Affairs office, was awarded the Navy Cross — the second-highest honor given for valor — for his action in Afghanistan in June of 2012.
“He’s a legit guy and seems like a real class act,” Hoffman said of Jacklin, who he believes has a football and wrestling background.
The Marines revived the name “Marine Raiders” for its special forces units this past summer and so Rangeview — which has Raiders as its mascot — will wear a helmet decal with the Marine Raiders logo during its game.
— Sports Editor Courtney Oakes
semper fi do or die hold ’em high at 8th and I