Morse High School football team pays tribute to West Bath boy who died playing flag football

Residents of Bath and West Bath came together to support the Briggs family after their 7-year-old son, Evan, died during a YMCA flag football practice last Tuesday.

“He always had a smile on his face and was larger than life,” said Emily Thompson, principal and head teacher of West Bath School. “(Evan) spread joy wherever he went and we remember him with great fondness.”

The West Bath School counselor met with students and teachers last Wednesday morning, the day after Briggs’ death. Each student and teacher shared their memories of Briggs and what they loved about him. Thompson said that while the Briggs family is planning a celebration of life at a later date, ideas have been floating around for a project where students and teachers would share their memories of Evan.

According to Thompson, Regional School Unit 1 was incredibly supportive. Some members of the Morse High School football team were also present at the practice where Briggs collapsed

“We love the Briggs family, we think of them, and our community is in great shape because of them,” Morse High School head football coach Jason Darling said.

Before kickoff of the football game Friday night, the crowd and players observed a moment of silence for Evan, with players wearing helmet stickers with the initials “EB.”

RSU 1 raised money for the Briggs family at the game by offering donations at the ticket booth, snack hut, 50/50 raffle, and QR codes with direct links to the Evan Briggs Meal Train. The Meal Train is a program that allows friends, family, and complete strangers to sign up to deliver meals to struggling families and individuals.

Donations were also accepted at Morse High School’s boys and girls soccer games against Leavitt on Sept. 21.

“I think this community is unique,” Morse High School athletic director Andrew Pelletier said. “There aren’t many communities where a loss affects so many people, and it doesn’t matter who it is. This community is tighter than any community I’ve been a part of. The one thing my colleagues have been telling me over the last few days is that Morse will take care of everyone who is affected.”

Amie Marzen organized the Meal Train for the Briggs family following Evan’s death. Meal Train More than $23,000 was raised on the Monday after the football and soccer games concluded, We are approaching the $25,000 target.

“Our community, including our athletes and staff, is mourning the loss of 7-year-old Evan,” Morse High School wrote in a Facebook post. “This donation is a small way we can help during this time.”

Many of the West Bath children grew up to be shipbuilders and became part of the Bath community, Pelletier said.