INDIANAPOLIS -- High school football can be a competitive sport, but it also brings players together during difficult times.
There are few rivalries as bitter as the one between the Warren Central Warriors and the Ben Davis Giants - but both schools have something in common - violence on the streets has either taken the life of or seriously injured players on their respective teams in recent months.
Dijon Anderson, 18, a Warren Central High School senior and football standout, was shot along with two other students back in May. Anderson and another student both died from their injuries.
RELATED | Warren Central High School football star killed in shooting
Rondell Allen, 18, a Ben Davis senior was shot multiple times during a drive-by shooting at the end of July. He survived and was able to attend his first game since the shooting Friday night.
RELATED | Ben Davis High School football standout shot in drive-by
After Friday's game, both teams joined together at midfield as Ben Davis head coach Mike Kirschner shared a powerful message about coming together.
"If we don't take care of each other and love each other, then nothing else really matters," said Kirschner. "This is just a game."
You can watch that message in the video player below.
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