Tucker’s time to take the field

Freshman at Central York High School Tucker Haas, started his journey at age five as a panther through Tucker’s Team.

At age two, Haas was diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma which is a soft tissue tumor. The sarcoma affected the right side of his face once, his ribs twice and left his right lung unusable. At seven, Haas was declared cancer free, he will be nine years cancer free in February. He now goes once a year for check-ups to make sure he is staying cancer free. Haas’ rare and dangerous cancer was the driving force that formed Tucker’s Team

“I felt like they were all my brothers,” Haas said of the football team. In 2007 Haas’ uncle, Matt Baker, the offensive coordinator for Central York High School’s football team encouraged the team and school to adopt his nephew, thus Tucker’s Team was created.

He said “I feel like I’ve always been a part of Central and I’ve always wanted to graduate as a Panther.” For this reason Haas moved from Northeastern School District to Central School District the summer going into his eighth grade year.

“I’ve always loved football since the start of Tucker’s Team, ” Haas said about why he chose to tryout for the football team. Haas is on varsity but plays for junior varsity as well, as number 23. He said he hopes to kick or snap the ball after Carter Luckenbaugh graduates and he holds snaps for the kicker on junior varsity. Despite Haas’ previous health problems the only restriction he has when playing football is he can’t run as much because he only has one working lung.

On a sunny Thursday morning in the Hub at Central York High School, Haas said of his uncle, Baker, “he talks to me when I’m down about football and has always really been there for me.”Along with Baker’s support Haas said his cousin Colin Baker is like a brother to him. He said they always hangout and live within five minutes of each other.

His other cousin Natalie Baker said he is at their house almost every day and practically lives there. Being Haas’ age Natalie said she is very close with him and has been with him throughout his health issues. “It was very scary and sad when he was sick,” she said, adding that after his health improved, life seemed altogether good.

Haas’ family has always been there supporting him from his uncle and cousin to his parents and younger sister. Haas said his parents were there to take him to practices and games when he was on Tucker’s Team. He also said his parents have been there to keep his head held high and have a positive outlook on everything. His younger sister was born the week after he was diagnosed so she has been alongside him throughout his toughest battles.

Battling cancer has completely changed Haas’ outlook on life and everyone in it. “I’m lucky I’m still here,” Haas said. He said he thinks about how people have it worse than he did when he gets down on himself. Haas also said surviving cancer has made him make smarter and better choices and has really affected his maturity level.

Most of Haas’ friends are older and play on the varsity football team such as Maurice Green, Nikolas Strine and Corbin Chevaux. In addition to his football friends Haas said he mostly keeps to himself and enjoys rap music. Haas also collects and resells shoes as a hobby.

Haas said he is excited about his next four years as panther and hopes to get involved with everything Central has to offer. He is currently in Student Council and mini-thon and would like to try out for lacrosse in the spring.

“I feel like this is where I should be,” said Haas.

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