Jaden Batiest is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Campo Verde High School for AZPreps365.com

Touchdowns and victories took on a new meaning for coach Ryan Freeman this season.

Sure, they were important but not as crucial and concerning as the health of his 9-year-old daughter, Brylee, who was diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer news overrides Campo Verde football news in a shutout … any day, every day.

Brylee's life changed when she started to experience pain in her hip. The Freeman family was concerned and took her to the doctor to figure out why she was having continuous pain.

"Her journey started in January. Prior to that, she started having hip pains, which we just identified as typical growing pains or sports injuries from soccer," said Brittney, Brylee's mom. "So, at the end of June is when we had a formal diagnosis, after biopsies and scans to let us know that she had confirmed Ewing's Sarcoma cancer."

According to the National Cancer Institute, "Ewing sarcoma is a type of tumor that forms from a certain kind of cell in bone or soft tissue.

"Ewing sarcoma most often begins in the leg bones and in the pelvis, but it can occur in any bone. Ewing sarcoma is more common in children and teenagers, but it can occur at any age."

"We actually found out Thursday, prior to Father's Day, and initially, it was heartbreak," said coach Freeman.

"I wanted to know what type it was and what we could do to fight because I am not a big proponent of giving it worst-case scenarios on anything."

The day-to-day lives of Freeman's family have been different since the cancer diagnosis. Brylee has been through many treatments that have helped with her recovery.

"She has chemotherapy every other week. Her original treatment plan was written out for 16 rounds of chemotherapy and included what she recently just had on Nov. 1, her femur resection, and her hip replacement. Prior to that, we had seven rounds of chemo, and then now her hip surgery is complete,” coach Freeman said. 

"She is healing from that, and we will have seven more rounds. So, you know, the side effects are just absolutely brutal. A little body, anybody's body, but a nine-year-old's little body and emotions. It is just very strenuous."

Brylee's journey has been nothing short of very intense. With many tests, surgery, and chemotherapy, it is very overwhelming for someone who is nine years old.

"It's all really hard on my body and it takes a lot away from me. Like energy and muscle and all that," she said.

While Brylee was undergoing treatments, coach Freeman was one of her biggest supporters. He did everything he could to be with her and show Brylee how much he loves her.

"I would say he is really good support and helping her push through like right now with her surgery when things are really tough, and they hurt, and your muscles are sore, and things are not working the way they are supposed to," Brittney said.

Coach Freeman has been with Campo Verde for the last 14 years. As a coach, you have to motivate your players to perform well. His coaching experience has shown when motivating Brylee to push through the pain to see the positive outcome.

"That is kind of where daddy steps in ... kind of pushing her and motivating her and keeping her focused on the outcome," said Brittney.

Currently, everything has been better for Brylee. The doctors will continue to monitor the cancer, and her family will continue to support her through this difficult and emotional journey.

"They took about a fourth of her femur in her entire hip, which has caused some nerve damage. We just got the pathology reports. Actually, on Nov. 15, the tumor was over 99% dead when they took it out, which is the best possible move we could have ever hoped for. There are no signs of spread anywhere else in the body," Freeman said.

Great news for the family, one started 13 years ago wen Brittney and Freeman were married. Kids Bryson and Brylee followed. Since Brylee's diagnosis, the family has tried to spend more time together.

"We learned life lessons almost every day through Riley and Riley's journey, Brittney said. "We use that through our cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. So yes, I would say 100%. It has definitely brought the family closer together." 

This football season for Freeman looked very different since learning about Brylee's diagnosis. His priorities have changed tremendously, putting football aside and caring for Brylee.

Coach Freeman's most challenging moment this season came during a crucial game against Sunnyslope High School.

"Brylee got taken into surgery in the middle of the game, but my wife refused to tell anybody, including her own family, because she did not want me leaving the game and leaving the team. Brylee went through that whole surgery process by themselves," said coach Freeman.

"So (that) was probably the toughest. I found out immediately after the game and, you know, took off running, jumped to my truck, and got to the hospital as quickly as possible."

His Campo Verde family, too, was there for him/them. The high school officials showed support during this difficult time.

"As usual, everyone steps up when we have an issue in our CV family! Campo Verde has supported the Freeman family with meals, donations, and assistance with anything they need," said Athletic Director Max Ragsdale. "From covering classes to ensuring his coaches are available to complete practices; it is a family effort."

Campo Verde High School is not the only support the Freeman family receives. The football team members have also supported Freeman in any way they could.

"The team has been great. I have had a few players and players' families who have done gifts and care packages for Brylee, And more than anything, they have supported me when I have not been able to be at practice," said coach Freeman. "I have let them know why; they know if the only reason I am not with them is because something has happened. Or I have to be with Brylee; they have been very gracious."

The last few months have been emotionally draining for Coach Freeman and the family. Coach Freeman has found ways to clear his mind to take care of his mental health.

"For me, it is working out. My wife has been great enough to allow me to go work out in the mornings. I get up about 3:15 or 3:30 each morning and go work out, which gives me time to separate from everything," he said.

It all helped him get through what was a good season for Campo Verde as it finished the regular season with a four-game win streak to make it into the playoffs with a 6-5 record. In the end, Campo Verde finished in the second round of the playoffs, losing to Apollo High School.

“Ryan Freeman needs to be in the Coach of the Year conversation! A high school hero guiding his Coyotes into the 5A quarterfinals, all while his daughter Bri battles cancer and chemo and has been in and out of hospitals all season," said Kevin McCade, a Phoenix-area media member who follows high school sports. "UCLA football coach Red Sanders said, 'Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.' True, especially when you’re talking about cancer."

And Brylee and the Freemans are winners.