Nashua North football coach Jason Robie gave out several awards at a team banquet on Wednesday before retiring No. 11, worn by senior Cooper Doucette, who never played in a varsity game for the Titans.

As sophomore, Doucette was paralyzed from the waist down after suffering a spinal cord injury during an August football practice. The former wide receiver, through his own hard work and positive attitude, remained an important member of the football team for the past three seasons.

"This young man stayed with the program and always wore that number proudly. When you look at all he's been through and what he's meant for the Titans, we felt this was the fitting thing to do," Robie said. "You don't have to be an all-star football player or the best of the best to have your number retired. Sometimes it's about the bigger picture and what you have to fight through in life and how you choose to handle adversity."

Only two other Nashua North athletes have worn No. 11: Brad Zapenas, currently a minor-league infielder with the Cubs, and Trevor Rancourt, who plays football at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

- Kevin Gray