A Jericho High School football player was in line to become the starting quarterback for the Jericho High School Hawks until cancer sidelined him.

Brandt Morgan's battle with cancer started last November when he found a lump in his neck. He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's t-cell lymphoma.

Doctors at Cohen Children's Medical Center hospitalized him immediately and started aggressive chemotherapy.

"If I was around something that smelled funny - automatically throw up," says Brandt. "If I was around something that bothered me. Throw up."

Brandt's mother said it was a scary time.

Over the next eight months Brandt fought cancer, E-coli, listeria and appendicitis. Then he got neuropathy and lost feeling in the lower part of his body.

The 15-year-old had to learn to walk again and how to run. Brandt didn't stop fighting and in late August with chemo still in his system and a port in his chest, he was given the OK to go back to school and football.

Brandt told his coaches no special treatment and asked to play in a game.

Three weeks into the season and 10 months after being diagnosed with cancer Brandt got his wish. He played in a game and his team won.

Brandt's cancer is currently in maintenance and he's still undergoing monthly chemo. He's also a finalist for the New York Giants "Heart of a Giant Award"-- given to a local player who has overcome the odds on and off the field.