Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Jasso, DeVaney have lived for years with Type I diabetes
Blake DeVaney is shown during the 2016 eight-man championship game gesturing for a safety after bringing down Gateway Christian's David Garcia in the end zone. DeVaney has played through Type I diabetes, a condition he was diagnosed with at age 4.
Jordan Jasso wraps up Gateway Christian's Justin Reynolds in last season's eight-man title game. Jasso was diagnosed with Type I diabetes nine years ago.
MELROSE — There are about 1.25 million Americans living with Type I diabetes, according to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. That means about one in every 215 people have it.
The odds are a little higher in Melrose — more specifically, the locker room of the defending eight-man football champion Buffaloes.
Seniors Blake DeVaney and Jordan Jasso battle the disease every day, and still find ways to battle their opponents each week.
The three-time defending eight-man champions are off to a 3-0 start and resume their season today at Mountainair with a neutral-site game against Magdalena. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
"They've been playing for me since seventh grade," Melrose coach Dickie Roybal said of DeVaney and Jasso. "The crazy thing about these kids is, they'll come out here to practice and they'll have one of their lows and have to sit out and eat candy or Gatorade or whatever, and then they get back in.
"Most kids their age would probably milk the situation, and say, 'I want to sit out, I don't want to go through (this),' especially two-a-days when it gets hot. But they get leveled up and they're right back out there. That's pretty special to see kids do that — they're just hard workers."
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound DeVaney, who plays guard and middle linebacker, was first diagnosed at age 4. He recently got a pick-me-up of sorts.
Three years ago, doctors gave DeVaney a pump to help him battle the disease.
"It's a machine that constantly drops my medication into me, all throughout the day, continually — doesn't stop," said DeVaney, who notes that he's grown four inches taller since first getting the pump.
Jasso, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound tight end and wide receiver, has never had height issues. But he has known about his condition since he was about 9.
"When I first found out I had it, I was scared, like it didn't know what was gonna happen, going through life," Jasso said. "(But the) doctors and my parents were both there for me, giving me a lot of help and support."
Jasso, who uses pin needles instead of a pump, has experienced scares, much like DeVaney. Last year at the state basketball tournament, Jasso had to hurry out into the lobby and drink Gatorades to get his levels back up. DeVaney said he had cramping issues in the 2015 state title game against Gateway Christian.
The two have managed to stay on top of the condition, usually either by a quick snack or drink or sitting out a few plays. Roybal said he trusts his players.
"I tell these guys, 'Whenever you feel that need, just tell me or just get out. Because, I don't know what you're feeling,'" Roybal said. "So, they come out, they do their thing and they get right back in."
