Noah Duffy, with the Dream Program, has a Mississippi Bowl souvenir football autographed by East Mississippi Community College’s Untareo Johnson Saturday during a flag football exhibition game at the Ocean Springs Sports Complex.

East Mississippi doesn’t play its national championship game until Sunday, but a friendly flag football event Saturday afternoon will likely be just as memorable for all who participated.

Lions players, coaches and cheerleaders joined more than 20 Dream Program athletes at the Ocean Springs Sports Complex for an afternoon filled with football, fun and memories that will last a lifetime. The Dream Program gives those with disabilities recreational opportunities throughout its various leagues.

“I love this event and to be able to come out here and be a part of their lives,” East Mississippi redshirt freshman Untareo Johnson said. “I was one of those kids who wished someone would have come out and played with me, so, just throwing the ball with a couple of these guys, and seeing what they like and what positions they like, is just really fun.”

While Johnson plays linebacker for the Lions, Saturday, he tossed passes with Dream Program athlete Noah Duffy. Within a few minutes of the activity, sweat formed around the collar of Johnson’s gray East Mississippi T-shirt.

Saturday’s event wasn’t Johnson’s first, as he participated last year. He spotted a Dream Program athlete with whom he bonded with last year. Next year, should the Lions return, he’ll have to split his time between two, as Duffy quickly bonded with Johnson, and hardly left his side.

Duffy, 17, plays football and basketball with the Dream Program. He rattled off, “quarterback” when asked what he enjoyed most about Saturday’s program, and said he gained a new friend in Johnson.

“My guy right here,” said Johnson, while pointing to Duffy, “said he just loves football and that he’s a quarterback. He said he loves Ole Miss, and he said he has an arm on him.”

Dream Program athletes and staff members greeted the East Mississippi players, coaches, cheerleaders and staff members with hearty cheers and high-fives as the Lions made their way to one of the sports complex’s fields.

East Mississippi’s Stuart Coggins, a center, playfully tossed the football with three Dream Program football players while sharing jokes and laughs. Although the event was Coggins’ first, he said he’s long been compelled to help others.

“It’s really special,” Coggins said. “I’ve always felt the need to come and play with kids, and it’s just a fun thing to me to help people out. It’s a real humbling experience because I know some of them don’t have it as good as we do, and it makes you feel special inside to help them have a good day. I know it means the world to me and them.”

Sharing the same field with a number of NJCAA all-stars, it was 28-year-old Jeremy Johnson who stole the spotlight. Sporting a blue T-shirt and a maroon-and-white hat, Johnson, a Dream Program athlete, bantered with Coggins and the rest of Lions contingent, as his affable personality became infectious.

“Awesome,” Johnson said of the experience. “I like hanging out with the cheerleaders, and getting the cheerleaders to kiss me on the cheek, and playing football. I like having fun, and I’ve never done this until I got into the Dream Program. I’ve done this for four or five years now.”

Johnson also said he shared a message with Coggins and other East Mississippi football players.

“I said, ‘I want to play with y’all and help y’all get the championship,’” Johnson said.

Saturday marked East Mississippi’s fifth Dream Program flag football event. Billy Dungan, Dream Program’s executive director, said the partnership has been mutually beneficial.

“This our seventh year, and talking with Coach Buddy (Stephens), it’s the fifth time that they’ve been down here,” Dungan said. “It’s really a big deal for all of us. Our athletes absolutely love the idea of talented, skilled players coming here and taking time out to play with us. And you can see that they just eat up the attention that they’re getting, and I even heard one saying a while ago that ‘We’re going to beat you tonight…’ They truly enjoy this. It’s a great time for them.”

Lions’ football players, coaches and cheerleaders weren’t the only ones who dug their heels into the grass field Saturday. East Mississippi Community College President Dr. Thomas Huebner joined in the fun as he lofted passes.

“I wish everyone could see our players interact with these folks here,” Huebner said. “It really reveals their hearts. It’s very moving, and I have to tell you, it just says a lot about their character. They’re having fun, and they’re being encouraging. They’re giving of themselves. They’re really having a great time out here, and I’m just watching them help some of these athletes who don’t have the same abilities that they do be able to have a good time and to score touchdowns and run the football. I’m watching our players push folks with wheelchairs, and guiding people who have what appear to be visual impairments down the field, and it’s just particularly moving.”