Ponder, Texas woke up this week to a kind of silence no town ever wants to hear. Caden Nowicki, a 17-year-old senior and football player at Ponder High School, died Thursday after a sledding accident during a winter storm. His death has left classmates, coaches, and neighbors searching for words that still won’t come.
The accident happened Monday afternoon on Amyx Hill Road, a stretch locals know well. Investigators say Caden was riding inside a kayak being pulled by an all-terrain vehicle, a risky setup that turned tragic in seconds. Around 2:30 p.m., the kayak veered off the roadway. Caden was thrown out and slammed into a nearby fence.
First responders rushed to the scene as the reality of the injuries became clear. Caden was badly hurt and fighting for his life. He was airlifted to Medical City Denton, where doctors worked to stabilize him. For days, the community held its breath, hoping the tough kid they knew from Friday night lights would pull through.
He didn’t. On Thursday, Caden died from his injuries. The news was confirmed by Ponder High School head football coach Marcus Schulz, who called the loss devastating. For many students, Caden wasn’t just a teammate. He was someone they leaned on, someone who led without needing to be loud about it.
Authorities said the driver of the ATV and a passenger riding on it were not injured. The Texas Department of Public Safety continues to investigate what caused the kayak to leave the road. No charges have been announced, and officials say the case is still under review.
Inside the school halls, grief has been heavy and personal. Teachers, players, and friends described Caden as kind, disciplined, and steady. On the field, he showed grit. Off the field, he showed heart. Those who knew him say he made people feel seen, and that’s the kind of legacy that doesn’t fade quickly.
Support for the Nowicki family has poured in from all directions. A GoFundMe set up to help with medical and funeral expenses raised more than $45,000 within days. Each donation told the same story. This family is not alone, and neither is this town.
Caden’s death also reopened a painful conversation about winter safety. The tragedy echoes another recent incident in Frisco, where two teenagers died while riding a sled pulled by a Jeep. Officials are again urging families to avoid improvised sledding, especially on roads, where a moment of fun can turn fatal.
Ponder will remember Caden Nowicki as more than a headline or a statistic. He was a son, a teammate, and a young man with a future that ended far too soon. In a town this small, that kind of loss lingers in every empty seat and every quiet hallway.
