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Firefighters attend HS football game after captain's father dies unexpectedly

HAVERHILL, Mass. — When JV football Captain Joe Cahill IV took the field for Whittier Tech's first game of the season there was something missing.

It was his first game without his father in the crowd rooting him on.

Joe's dad, Joseph Cahill III, died unexpectedly in March at the age of 51.

“It's been a lot different even at practice.  Just coming home and not having him, when I walked in the door, have someone give you tips every day, just a little different than it used to be,” Joe said.

He managed to stay strong on the field thanks his second family.

“We found out about the game yesterday, made a couple of phone calls, and everybody showed up,”

Joe’s father had recently retired after 20 years as a Haverhill firefighter. To show support for the family, 30 off-duty firefighters lined the side of the field.

“Since this is the first game of the year we thought we would show him some support since his dad can’t be here were like one big family and we came in his place,”

Joe’s mother Debbie said the show of support is overwhelming.

“I feel such gratitude they would do this for my son and I just couldn’t wait to see his face,” she told FOX25.