Christian Carson didn’t play much against Wellsville on Sept. 6.

The Youngstown Christian lineman wasn’t physically hurt, but he was aching in a different way.

During the bus ride to Poland for the game, Carson learned his mother Leslie had died after a three-year battle with breast cancer.

The cancer had spread to her lungs in her final days. She was 42.

“I was just devastated,” said Carson, who is a sophomore.

Youngstown Christian head coach Brian Marrow told Carson the decision to play or not that night was his to make.

“He couldn’t disappoint his mother if he wanted to play or if he didn’t play,” Marrow said. “I know that she was always so proud of him.”

Marrow, who had known Leslie through his church, was reunited with her when Christian was in seventh grade. She told Marrow schools from the area wanted her son to play football and that she’d heard good things about Youngstown Christian.

“That day, I thought about that day at the funeral,” Marrow said. “I was just thankful that she trusted him to us.”

Leslie was involved heavily in the community, particularly in helping the Struthers Little Wildcats. Her younger son, Noah, 9, played for them this season and Christian had been part of the organization.

“She was [a] team mom,” Marrow said of Leslie. “At the funeral, everyone talked about that.”

Leslie Carson worked two jobs in the Youngstown area to support her family.

A spaghetti dinner was held Sept. 13 at the St. Nick’s Great Hall on Fifth Street in Struthers. Proceeds were to go towards her treatment.

“We didn’t know she was going to pass so suddenly,” Marrow said. “She was just an awesome lady.”

Christian says he’ll never forget his mother.

“I already know she’s right here with me,” he said. “Everything I go through, from off the football field to on, she’s right here with me. It’s like she’s still here.”

Marrow, whose great-nephew and nephew drowned over the summer, says the Eagles have become closer after the tragedies they’ve endured.

“This is extended family here,” Marrow said. “We preach that a lot. It’s hard to explain how comforting it is to have people in your corner like that. Youngstown Christian, there’s no other place like it.”

Carson says his teammates have been there for him through the heartache.

“They’ve been great — like my own family,” Carson said. “I just come here at practice and just unwind. This is my home away from home.”

The last couple weeks have taken a toll on him.

“Just accepting the fact that she’s gone [has been the toughest],” Carson said. “My dad left me at a young age and I thought it was going to me and her and my family against the world.”

Despite his mother’s death, Carson keeps a smile on his face knowing her spirit is with him.

She’s really been my rock for my whole life,” he said. “Through everything I’ve been through she’s been the No. 1 person right there supporting me.”

Carson believes his mother would want him to keep playing.

“She probably would,” Carson said. “This is the only thing that makes me happy, really.”

Write Vindicator sportswriter Curtis Pulliam at cpulliam@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter @ Pulliam_Vindy.