READFIELD -- It was fitting a couple of youngsters tossed a football around under the lights at Maranacook Community High School on Saturday night.

They were part of a crowd of about 200 who showed up for a candlelight vigil to honor Ricky Gibson, the 16-year-old Maranacook sophomore who drew statewide and national attention when he dedicated a $6,000 grant from Make-A-Wish-Foundation toward lights and improvements at the field.

Gibson died Friday night, seven months after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. His memory is alive under the lights on the football field that bears his name. A few years from now those kids tossing the football around will play under Friday night lights in front of fans sitting on bleachers, both made possible through Gibson's generosity.

"He wanted the lights so his teammates could play under the lights, and he wanted some stands so the people could sit and watch the games," Rick Morand of Maranacook Football Inc. said.

Morand's son was one of the kids who asked to bring a football to the field Saturday night.

"My initial impression was no, this is a somber event," Morand said. "But then I said this was what Ricky wanted."

Gibson's request that Make-A-Wish donate $6,000 toward lights rather than something for himself set in motion a chain of events that led to thousands of dollars raised for the team in his name.

"We're all surprised that any 15-year-old would wish that," said Maranacook football coach Kevin Norwood, who was by Gibson's side when he died. "It's not about Ricky, it's about everyone else."

Iowa-based Musco Lighting donated six poles and 24 lights to the project of illuminating the Readfield school's football field. And Massachusetts contractor Island Lighting installed the lights free of charge.

"Our budget was about $200,00 and that cut it in half," said Morand whose organization and the Maranacook Education Foundation raised $100,000 through fundraisers and individual donations.

"I've never seen anybody who loved football as much as he did," Maranacook sophomore and teammate Rob Burnell said. "I think we all talked about how awesome it would be have Friday night games under the lights, but I know he took it to heart more than most of us did. He really cared about the team and the school and the field."

Many high school football teams in central Maine also contributed to Gibson's cause, either through 50/50 raffles or gate receipts. Winthrop High School donated a night's gate receipts to the fund.

"When (Principal Karen Criss) approached the captains, we were in 100 percent agreement," Winthrop quarterback Jordan Conant said. "We'd have donated from every game if we could."

Conant and Gibson became friends when the two played on the same all-star baseball team three years ago. "I just absolutely loved that kid," Conant said. "He was full of life. I loved being around him because he always cracked me up."

Gibson got to see his wish come true at a special lighting ceremony last December. Gov. John Baldacci, who participated in the ceremony, proclaimed the day "Ricky Gibson Day in Maine."

The governor released a statement Saturday that said in part: "I was blessed to have had the opportunity to meet Ricky Gibson a couple of times over the past few months. It was difficult not to be inspired by his drive, determination and love for life."

Norwood first met Gibson when he coached middle school football and Gibson was in the seventh grade.

"Everything stood out," Norwood said. "He was one of the fastest kids on the team."

Gibson, who recently turned 16, started at cornerback, returned kicks and was the backup quarterback for the Black Bears last season.

"He was probably one of the best athletes in the school, only 145 pounds," Norwood said.

Gibson's athletic ability is overshadowed by his friendly, outgoing personality and the legacy he left.

"He grew up just like a kid should grow up," Norwood said. "He had fun doing everything from sports to school to four-wheeling and snowmobiling.

"He touched more lives in 15 years than any of us will do in a lifetime, He did it right on the field and right off the field."

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com