Westbury football honors teammate Matthew Mitchell, who passed away suddenly this week
Westbury football players hold the jersey of Matthew Mitchell, a recently passed former player, during the coin toss before a high school football game between Westbury and East Meadow on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. Credit: Howard Simmons
Brandon Chavez dropped to a knee and pointed to the sky after a touchdown. Wayne Olivier did the same after his score. Jason Clarke had “For Matthew” written in eye black across his face.
Westbury football came together Friday night to honor former teammate Matthew Mitchell, who died overnight Wednesday into Thursday following an allergic reaction. The 2026 graduate was a captain and starting running back and linebacker for the Green Dragons before attending Lead Prep Academy in Michigan.
“We just wanted to fight for our brother,” Chavez said. “We all knew that Matthew would want everyone to play. He wouldn’t want anybody to sit out. He’d want everybody on that field.”
Before the Green Dragons faced East Meadow, Westbury displayed Mitchell’s photograph on the scoreboard as the public address announcer read his accomplishments.
It included honorable mention All-County recognition and being Westbury’s first My Brother’s Keeper Fellow, representing the school and community through a program dedicated to leadership, opportunity and empowering young men.
“He was an unbelievable student. Unbelievable teammate, unbelievable captain. Just an unbelievable person,” Westbury coach Savalis Charles said.
Chavez and Marc Hardy brought Mitchell’s No. 10 jersey out for the coin toss. Wristbands were ordered in his honor, and cheerleaders wore red bows around their sneakers because red was his favorite color. Charles gave his players the option to sit out, but they chose to suit up.
“I gave them the option, and they chose to play,” Charles said. “So I’m proud of them.”
Clarke played football with Mitchell growing up and credited him with helping his development at linebacker.
“He helped me with confidence and guidance to play on defense,” Clarke said. “It was what Matthew would’ve wanted. He only wanted to see us succeed.”
Westbury faced East Meadow with an opportunity to move closer to a playoff berth. The Green Dragons led by five points in the second quarter, but fell, 20-12, in Nassau Conference I. The loss eliminated Westbury (4-4) from playoff contention. Chavez connected with Olivier for a 65-yard touchdown after he rushed for a touchdown earlier in the game.
“We knew Matt would want us to fight every last snap, every last play, every down,” Hardy said. “He wanted us to fight, and we knew that.”
East Meadow (4-4) had touchdowns from Nick Schwabe, Kyle Francis and Charlie Lengu. The Jets will advance to the playoffs.
It was just the second time in 15 years that Westbury had won four games. Charles emphasized that his players gave everything they had while grieving their former captain.
“There was no quit in them. They fought with Matthew on their minds. They wouldn’t give up,” Charles said.
“You might know football is physical, but it’s more mental than anything,” he added. “And it’s hard to get your mind right when your heart is in so much pain. But they played hard and I’m proud of them.”
