KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A high school rivalry filled with bad blood transformed into a matchup for a good cause Friday night, when Kingston and Harriman kicked off the high school football season with a blanket donation drive.
It was partly organized by the Faith in Acton Foundation, a nonprofit that began after the death of Kingston quarterback Blazer King Beaumia in a car crash in 2023. The foundation was started by the Beaumia family to honor his memory. On Friday, during the Kingston and Harriman matchup, the foundation hosted a blanket drive.
"It's the most attended game in the county. Every year it's Harriman vs. Kinston, and we just thought it was a great opportunity to carry that rivalry to a good cause," said Nate Beaumia, Blazer's father. "It's just something that we thought would honor P-Man."
Preston Wells died in December 2023 after a long battle with bone marrow cancer. He was a young boy and spent much of his time after the diagnosis at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Friday's blanket drive was meant to benefit the hospital and patients in similar situations as P-Man's — facing a tragic cancer diagnosis.
"For P-Man, I think his prayer blanket brought him a sense of comfort and peace, when you're in just the most uncomfortable position you can be in," said Nate. "P-Man wanted to share that comfort, share that warmth, and we just felt that it was important to honor that."
Prayer blankets are traditionally given to patients facing severe diagnoses. They are usually made in religious communities or congregations, where they are either blessed or made as a form of prayer. They are given to people as a gesture of goodwill and comfort, hoping to help them during one of the worst times of their lives.
During the Kingston and Harriman matchup, the two teams put the rivalry aside to remember each team's heroes.
"I want them to be remembered for who they were, the kindness they showed, the strength they both showed," said Nate.
The foundation collected and donated 846 blankets Friday night, giving them to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital. A statement from the hospital about the donation is available below.
"We are so grateful that Preston’s heart that we all got to know and love is still growing and living on through the community. For a child like Preston to have faced the toughest battle and have a positive attitude became infectious to our staff and region. It is because of children like P Man that taught us to love and share to help others that keeps our team here at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital going in the hardest of outcomes. These blankets and all donated items provide comfort and brighten the days of our patients daily. Thank you to his family and community for keeping his legacy of giving back."