Kingsland playing 2026 season in memory of fallen teammate Nathaniel Drees

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Oct. 2—SPRING VALLEY — It was anger that first gripped Kaleb Rainey. Then came utter sadness.

The Kingsland senior had lost one of his best friends and football teammates, Nathaniel Drees.

Drees, 16, just two days shy of his 17th birthday and about to start his senior year of high school, was involved in an ATV accident on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2026.

One day later he was gone from this earth. The accident took his life.

"I was driving when I got a call that Nathaniel had died," Rainey said. "When I got the news, I had to take a break from my driving. He meant tons to our school. Everyone knew his name and what he'd been doing for our community."

Kingsland football coach Matt Kolling said it's the best, the brightest and the most talented young people who seem to die well before their time.

In losing Drees, that was the case. In so many ways he was the heart and soul of this Kingsland football team. The wide receiver/defensive back was a major talent — 6-feet-2, 180 pounds, the fastest player on the team and a two-way starter.

Drees was also musically gifted. He taught himself to play the piano and had a singing voice so good that he was chosen to represent the state in honors choir.

He was a standout in track and field, too.

But it was who Nathaniel Drees — the person — was that forever stood out most.

He was always there, a beacon of light, a helper for everyone. It is what has made this season so difficult for the Knights. It is also what has brought this team as close as it's ever been.

"He was always looking at a situation, no matter what it was, and always trying to find the weakest link and pick them up," said Nathaniel's father, Joe Drees. "It didn't matter if it was a coach or me telling him that. He would look at an entire situation to make it better. I am still learning from him, through the stories I hear in the community about him. It humbles me to understand how he affected those all around him. He used himself to help others. He always had that care and endearment for everyone."

They are traits that he shares with his parents, Joe and Santi.

An example came a day after Nathaniel died. Kingsland's first football practice was scheduled, but the players and coaches were all shaken to their core.

With the devastation still so raw, Kolling didn't schedule an actual practice. Instead, he had his despondent players gather to grieve alongside him.

To begin the gathering came a sight that will forever be implanted in Kolling's memory. It was the Drees family — Joe, Santi and Nathaniel's three siblings — making their way to the football meeting.

They were there to address the team, so many of these guys among Nathaniel's closest friends. They were there to lend comfort. They were there to represent Nathaniel.

"The whole family showed up and met with the team," Kolling said. "They just told them that Nathaniel would want you to keep going and give great effort. Then they gave each of the players a hug, told them that they loved them, and said they'd be there for every game.

"And they have been. They've been to every game."

Kingsland's season opener came with another lasting memory made. It was Joe and Santi turning in Nathaniel's football pads and helmet to the Kingsland seniors.

Those boys knew what to do with Nathaniel's gear. Before each game, they place Nathaniel's pads and helmet on their bench as a constant reminder of their fallen teammate and friend.

It is also a reminder that they get to continue to do what Nathaniel loved so much, to play football for the Kingsland Knights.

"It's done just to know that nothing is a given," Kolling said. "We don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Playing football is a great opportunity to have and not everyone gets that."

This isn't the first time in the history of Kingsland football that a teammate has died just ahead of the season. It also happened in 2001, when Dustin Atwood, a senior captain and team leader, was in a fatal car accident on his way to practice.

Mike Holzer was coaching Kingsland at the time.

Kolling reached out to Holzer for advice in handling Nathaniel's death.

"Mike told me that it was one of his most difficult times in coaching," Kolling said. "But he told me to try to make things as normal as I can for the kids. He said I will grieve for (Nathaniel) after the season is done, but will be grieving for the kids all around me now. But life doesn't stop. We have to keep moving forward as best we can, and keep Nathaniel in our hearts."

After a tough start to the season, the Knights seem to be getting their footing. Kingsland won its first game, then dropped its next two, including a 66-36 loss to Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons.

But that was followed by their best showing so far, a 28-20 win last week over previously unbeaten LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli.

"It's tough, because we don't want to frame the season that we want to win for (Nathaniel)," Kolling said. "But we want to honor him and play the game the way he played it. Nathaniel always played with great energy and great sportsmanship. And we want to be good teammates, like he was. He was always everyone's friend, always smiling and always brought a good attitude."

Kingsland has four regular-season games remaining. Joe and Santi will be in the stands for all of them.

This football season has been a boon for them. It has been a way to stay connected to Nathaniel's teammates, the coaching staff and to Nathaniel himself.

The community has been there for them. Nathaniel would be proud. He taught them well.

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