Dakota Ridge High School football player killed in crash will be honored at game

LITTLETON, Colo. – The Dakota Ridge High School community is mourning the loss of former high school football player Walker Moench, 19, who died in a dirt bike accident last weekend.

A four-year player, Walker graduated from high school last year and even returned to mentor young players. The school and family are now trying to honor his legacy by building bleachers on the school football field.

“We were sitting here a few weeks ago,” said Eric Moench, Walker’s father. “Walker said, ‘We need bleachers.'”

So far, the family has raised $24,000 to build the seating. Moench said her goal is $30,000.

The Dakota Ridge High School family plans to honor the football player killed in a crash

Moench learned of his son’s death while mowing the lawn. The hospital called Walker’s mother to inform the family of the dirt bike accident shortly after 3 p.m. on Sept. 21.

Walker’s girlfriend, Amber Shaw, witnessed the accident and was by his side as he passed. The couple had known each other for five years and had been together for 11 months.

“I knelt next to him as he gasped for air,” she said. “I told him I loved him when he took his last breath.”

Shaw was in attendance at the Dakota Ridge football game last Friday, the first game since Walker’s death. The Eagles honored Walker by wearing pink and blue. The game was made even more special when Walker’s younger brother Trent scored two touchdowns.

“He was with me,” Trent said. “It was just unreal emotions.”

You can help with the effort to build the bleachers through aGoFundMe set up by Walker’s family and friends.