Members of “Doc” Abel’s family look on prior to the Jimtown at NorthWood football game Friday night. The schools paid tribute to Abel with a traveling trophy in his honor (Photos by Scott Davidson).

NAPPANEE – You would be hard-pressed to find a man who loved the NorthWood and Jimtown football programs more than Dr. Robert Abel.

You would even be harder-pressed to find a man who was loved more by the Wa-Nee and Baugo communities than the man simply known as “Doc.”

That love for Doc, who passed away this past January at the age of 92, was apparent Friday night as the pair of Elkhart County rivals squared off at Andrews Field to open the 2017 high school football season.

The two tradition-rich programs, which have combined to win five state championships, paid a fitting tribute to the selfless man who gave so much of himself to thousands of families.

Prior to the game, which NorthWood won 31-0, NorthWood athletic director Norm Sellers unveiled a traveling trophy that will go the winner of the game each season. The trophy is one of Doc’s medical bags with the names of NorthWood and Jimtown on each side of it, the pair of schools that he served as team doctor for.

Jimtown athletic director Nate Dean praised the tireless work ethic of Abel, who gave freely of himself for decades with the Jimtown football program. He spoke of how Abel would see injured Jimtown players many times after games on Friday night, regardless of the time of night.

Many members of Abel’s family stood at midfield Friday night, some wiping away tears, as a tribute to Doc was shown on the new video scoreboard as both teams stood on the field learning more about a man who was a role model.

Abel, a 1942 Wakarusa High School graduate, was simple a pillar in the community. He served on the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Board for decades, as well as the Wa-Nee School Board. He also delivered more than 10,000 babies during his unbelievable tenure as a true hometown hero.

Abel, who played baseball in high school, truly loved his football.

“This is emotional,” said NorthWood coach Nate Andrews when asked following the game what it meant to win the trophy. “It means a lot. Doc meant so much to my family and really everybody’s family. He did a lot for me as a person, I know that.”

Andrews, now in his fourth season as the NorthWood coach, was a three-sport star athlete at NorthWood. His father Jim, for whom the NorthWood field is named and a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, coached the Panthers from 1972-92.

“It’s a great tribute to him,” added Andrews, who played football at Ball State. “We’re going to do whatever we can to make sure we keep that (the traveling trophy).”

NorthWood football coach Nate Andrews proudly displays the “Doc” Abel trophy to his team following its win over Jimtown Friday night.