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Zach Bartz, a young man from the Chisago Lakes area who has been battling neurofibromatosis (commonly known as NF) for most of his life, was an honorary captain for last Thursday’s football game against St. Louis Park.  After his name was announced over the loudspeaker, Zach led the Wildcats onto the field before the start of the game.  He spent the first half on the sidelines with the players and photographer Stephanie Sargeant.  In the third quarter, he went up to the press box to share announcing duties with Wildcat stadium announcer “Dietz” Dittrich.  Bartz was back down on the Wildcat sideline in the fourth quarter, cheering as the team pulled out an exciting win.  After the game, with the entire Wildcat team gathered at the far end of the field, the Wildcat head coach gave Zach a game ball signed by the team and told Bartz what an inspiration he was to all of the players.  Coach Weiss said “I think Zach had a pretty good time.  He enjoyed hanging with us and being a part of everything that was going on.  It was a fun night for everybody.”

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