[Stardust]

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. -- She watched from the sidelines every time her husband led his Dixie Heights football team on the field.

Her unwavering support motivated him week in and week out, but this Friday she wasn't able to be there.

For that very reason, head coach David Brossart knew he must be there on the field - that's what she would have wanted.

Brossart lost his wife, Kris to cancer just days ago. However, he found courage and strength to coach his team in Friday night's game.

How has he done it?

"Because my wife was so incredibly strong," Brossart said. "She was my best friend, she was a whole lot stronger than me, I tell you!"

PHOTOS: Remembering Kris Brossart

Kris was diagnosed with cancer in December 2012. Brossart said it was an MRI that found 20 lesions in his wife's brain. At that time, the Brossart family was told that Kris had only months left to live.

"We talked about what to do," Brossart said.

He said the family weighed their options. He considered taking a break and spending time with her.

However, the family decided their best choice was to keep things normal. The brave Colonels coach, despite grieving, was able to maintain full time work. He only missed seven or eight days of school.

As Kris continued her cancer fight, she became unable to walk. Despite being bound by her wheelchair, she made it to every Dixie Heights football game to help cheer her husband on.

"It was incredible," Brossart said of his wife.

As her husband coached and two teams battled for a win, Kris sat in the end zone for every meeting. A cheerleader for Dave and her family, she really looked forward to Friday nights.

"Sports and Fridays under the lights always brought us together," Brossart said. "She always told me to put my career first."

And this Friday, Coach did just that. He missed practice on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. As the week wrapped up, he returned to work to be around his players.

"I know my wife would want me to be out there coaching tonight." Brossart said. "She knew how happy that football makes me, and how much I love my career."

It's because of Kris' support, and sharing of his passion for his career that Brossart was able to take the field and be on the sidelines doing his job.

But it wasn't easy. His team has been so supportive, he said.

"It's going to be emotional, tonight is going to be real," Brossart said before the game. "I'm proud they are going to honor my wife. She is someone who can inspire other people."

Prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff at Simon Kenton High School in Independence, Ky., a moment of silence was observed for Kris. Brossart said all his players wore his wife's initials on their helmets.

Kris' father, Charlies Reynolds, sat beside many of the people who've supported his family through the months as his daughter battled the disease that took her life.

Reynolds said while the support he felt Friday night was special, the Northern Kentucky community has been with his daughter, his son-in-law and his entire family every step of the way.

"It's been a tough ride for the family, but the support has been incredible," he said.

Even though Dixie Heights came up short in a 19-14 struggle against Simon Kenton Friday night, the display of team support leading up to the game earned Brossart, his family and the young men on the football squad a much more important win.

Through the tragic loss, the Dixie Heights community has rallied together behind Brossart, who has been a coach of sorts to people on and off the football field.

Defensive back Ethan Harrison's father Joe said the team has managed to maintain a great sense of focus this week due to their special desire to do their absolute best for their coach. They have come together like a big family.

"It's like I've never seen," Harrison said. http://www.wcpo.com/sports/high-school-s...tball-game