PHOTOS: Hillies Dedicate Friday’s Football Game to Late Senior Jordan Rankin

Haverhill High football players carried a banner in memory of Jordan Rankin during the September 28 varsity game against Methuen. (Marilyn Caradonna courtesy photograph)

Haverhill High football players carried a banner in memory of Jordan Rankin during the September 28 varsity game against Methuen. (Marilyn Caradonna courtesy photograph)

The Haverhill High Hillies are doing it all #forjordan. In the wake of the sudden passing of 17-year-old senior Jordan Rankin after a Sept. 24 car accident, her peers remembered the teen in a series of events over the weekend.

Chief among them was Friday’s varsity football game in Methuen, where players hit the gridiron wearing decals with Rankin’s initials on their helmets and spectators swapped their usual brown and gold to wear red for Rankin.

Following the game, which Methuen won 28-24, the Haverhill crowd took over Nicholson Stadium’s field for an impromptu prayer. Linking arms, students paused for a moment of silence before storming the field and offering cheers of “We love you, Jordan.”

Proceeds from the game’s 50-50 raffle were given to the Rankin family to help defray funeral costs.

The football team wasn’t the only Hillie athletics team to honor Rankin, who was active in lacrosse, soccer, field hockey and track.

The girls’ swim team dedicated their Saturday victory over North Andover to Rankin, while the volleyball team plans to honor their friend by wearing red socks and headbands at upcoming games. The team also asks that spectators bring a non-perishable food item to games to be donated to the Sacred Hearts food pantry in Rankin’s name.

Monday’s spirit week theme at Haverhill High was also changed to “red day” in her honor.

A lifelong Haverhill resident, Rankin worked at the Westgate Plaza Market Basket at the time of her death. She leaves behind parents John and Cindy, siblings Johnny and Julia and a large extended family. Funeral services for the teen, including burial in Linwood Cemetery, took place Friday.