'He Was A Light In Every Room': Collinsville Football Team Continues To Heal After Death Of Teammate

As the Collinsville community mourns 16-year-old Gage Nunes, who died in an August car crash, his friends and teammates continue to honor his memory as they prepare for Friday's football game with Tahlequah.

Thursday, October 10th 2024, 1:59 pm

By: News On 6

COLLINSVILLE, Okla. -

As Collinsville gets set to host Tahlequah in football Friday night, one name remains on the minds and hearts of the Collinsville community.

Just before midnight on Saturday, Aug. 17, 16-year-old Gage Nunes lost his life in a crash that happened at the North Sheridan Road and E. 136th St. N. intersection, about a mile SW of Collinsville High School. The outpouring of support in the region has helped this community try to help those cope with the loss.

Kane Abshire was one of Nunes’ closest friends. “Gage had the ability just to come into every room and just light up the whole room,” said Abshire. “He would make everybody smile, make everybody laugh. Just sitting there. He didn’t even have to do anything and we’d all be laughing at him.”

Many students gathered days after the accident to honor Gage during a varsity softball game with McAlester. The teenagers wore Nunes’ favorite color in the stands.

“We’re wearing all blue button-downs,” said Ian Eubanks, a lifelong friend of Nunes. “We had a fantasy football draft and this is what he wore. We just wanted to honor him, and blue is his favorite color.”

As the community tries to heal, the football team continues to remember their friend and teammate.

Senior linebacker Corey Davis shared his thoughts on Nunes. "He was a light in every room," according to Davis. "It's definitely made a big impact, mentally, on all of our team, the past few weeks we have had."

"Getting through this together is a process for sure," says head coach Kevin Jones.

Collinsville hosts Tahlequah in the News On 6 Tulsa Tech Game of the Week this Friday night.