Meet the longtime high school football assistant making his on-field debut

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Born with Down syndrome and requiring oxygen due to a lung condition, Haas doesn't let his challenges slow him down. For nine seasons, he's been a constant presence at practices, offering water, pep talks, and a unique brand of support.

"He just grabs you, hugs you, and says, 'It's okay, but you need to do better,'" said William Cornish, a Wildcats linebacker. "I'm always ready to go after I talk to him."

Haas's journey with the Wildcats began nine seasons ago when his older brother Cory played for the team.

"That was our excitement to get onto the field and see Cole and get that energy, and then go out and hit some people," Cory Haas told CTV News.

Before every practice, Cole is there, helping bring out bags, the water bottles, the jugs, and most notoriously: the water hose.

“Cole is our resident sprayer. So he gets the hose and sprays our players when they get too close to the water,” F.W. Johnson Head Coach Dylan Hart said with a laugh. “He's a good jokester. Our guys love seeing him in the hallways, and they always chat him up and, get them all fired up for pregame.”