COAL GROVE - Wayne Sparks was faced with quite a problem. He had to figure out a way to jump start his team and keep their winning streak in tact.

Oh yeah. And he had this tumor to deal with, too.

Sparks, 13, is an eighth grade student at Coal Grove Junior High School and the football team's quarterback and defensive back. Back on Sept. 2 during a dental appointment for a cleaning, an X-ray showed a dark spot on Wayne's lower gum. The dentist thought the spot was a cyst at first, but a panoramic view convinced the dentist to send the boy to an oral surgeon.

On Sept. 14, the boy then went to Dr. David Yates in Huntington, W.Va., who determined that Wayne actually had a tumor that was, in fact, the size of an egg yoke.

&#8220The doctor explained it to me first, and then to Wayne who got a panic look on his face,” said Dorothy Sparks, Wayne's mother.

But the panic wasn't because Wayne had a tumor, but because he thought he'd miss his next game or even the rest of the season.

&#8220‘Was I able to play?' was my first thought,” Wayne said. &#8220I did think of never playing again. I just figured I had played my last one and the team would go on.”

The surgery was scheduled on Sept. 24. During the two and a half hour procedure, Dr. Yates made the incision, removed the tumor, scraped it and did a bone graph.

&#8220(The dentist) said we were lucky. He didn't see how Wayne didn't get a broken jaw from where it was weakened,” Dorothy Sparks said.

Although the surgery was a success, the doctor told the family that there was a 20 percent chance of the turmor returning but only a one percent chance of it being cancer.

&#8220The doctor said if we didn't do the surgery when we did, it could have meant major surgery and created major problems,” Dorothy Sparks said. &#8220The doctor said Wayne would have to have an X-ray taken every year for the rest of his life.”

Five days after the surgery, Wayne was scheduled for a followed up visit. The visit was scheduled for a Friday, but mom had the appointment moved up one day at Wayne's request.

You see, there was a game on Thursday night. Wayne showed up at his appointment with a helmet in hand.

&#8220The doctor said it was amazing that he healed like he did. He released him Thursday at 11 o'clock,” Dorothy Sparks said.

Wayne was ready to play.

&#8220(The dentist) originally said Wayne was done and had to look forward to basketball. He said it would take four to six weeks for the bone graph to take hold. He said he wouldn't release him for the Rock Hill game without a full (cage) facemask. He was protected as best as he could.

&#8220Wayne said, ‘I'm going to make sure it's okay because I'm playing,'” Dorothy Sparks said.

Wayne showed the doctor the helmet and the the doctor laughed.

The doctor said &#8220It's done awesome” regarding the rapid healing. Wayne asked, &#8220So, can I play?' The doctor laughed and said he could if he wore all his protective equipment including a special mouthpiece.

Coal Grove Junior Hornets coach Rick Barrett told the players not to expect Wayne to play in their big showdown game with Chesapeake in a battle for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference Middle School.

&#8220I said, ‘If he plays, it would be like the second parting of the Red Sea,'” Barrett said. &#8220He's young, he's healthy, and he had a lot of prayers that he get well. God answers prayer. The first thing his mother said was ‘It looks like the Red Sea parted again.'”

Wayne made the game but was held out on the first series. The Hornets drive stall early, but the defense held and they got the ball back. This time, Wayne entered the game.

&#8220I was ready to get what I needed done,” Wayne said. &#8220I told the players (in the huddle) it's time to play football.”

Wayne's presence was an inspiration. He guided the team down the field and even ran for the game's first touchdown.

&#8220I couldn't believe (they called him to carry the ball). I was surprised they called a bootleg. It was meant for a run,” Wayne said. &#8220I said, ‘God, please don't let (my jaw) be broken. When I was okay, I realized I can do this again.”

Coal Grove went on to win the game and followed with a win over Rock Hill to win its first league title since 2000 and complete the Junior Hornets first unbeaten season since 1993.

&#8220After the game, (assistant coach) Layne Wireman said ‘I'm going to kill him,'” Dorothy Sparks said &#8220I asked why and he said, ‘We told him to get the yardage and go down, but Wayne lowered his head and took on the tacklers.”

Barrett said Wayne's happy-go-lucky attitude and determination were a key reason in his recovery.

&#8220(The tumor) was just something he wanted to get rid of but he wanted to keep playing. In his mind, it was something he wanted to wait to take care of after the season. Of course, the parents made the wiser decision,” Barrett said.

Dorothy Sparks said she and her husband, Bobby Sparks, were filled with emotion after the game.

&#8220I almost cried,” Dorothy Sparks said. &#8220He didn't feel sorry for himself. All he cared about was his coaches and his teammates. He just wanted to get back on the field and help his team win.”

And that's what he did. Along with getting rid of that tumor thing.