Members of the Crean Lutheran football team show their support for Austin Hwang and the Irvine High football family during a candlelight vigil for the former football player at Irvine High who died last week of cancer in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Head coach Erik Terry holds onto a photo of Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil at Irvine High in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Joseph Carter, left, and Vincent Sandoval lead current and former Irvine High football players in a procession for Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player at Irvine High, who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mourners left notes for the family of Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil at Irvine High in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A poster of photos greets mourners as they gather at Irvine High for Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A last message to his teammates greets mourners for Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil at Irvine High in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mourners gather at Irvine High for Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Joseph Carter signs the jersey of teammate Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player at Irvine High, who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mourners gather at Irvine High for Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Austin Hwang’s mother Hyun Kyung (Sharon) Kim, center, and his sister, Dabin Hwang, 16, right, listen to friends tell stories about the former Irvine High football player, who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Mourners gather at Irvine High for Austin Hwang, 19, a former football player who died last week of cancer, during a candlelight vigil in Irvine, CA on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Former Irvine High football player Austin Hwang has died after a battle with cancer. Photo courtesy Irvine football

Austin Hwang (No. 41) is shown with his Irvine High teammates during one of his games with the varsity squad. A candlelight service will be held Tuesday night for Hwang. Photo courtesy Irvine football

IRVINE — Hundreds showed up at Irvine High School’s football stadium Tuesday night, April 18, for a candlelight vigil honoring Austin Hwang, the former Irvine High varsity football player who was on the team in 2014 and 2015.

Hwang, 19, died on Friday, April 14. He was in hospice care for about a week after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

In his senior season, Hwang started off and on as a linebacker at Irvine, despite battling injuries, said Irvine Coach Erik Terry. Hwang graduated from Irvine in 2016.

Terry welcomed those in attendance and said Hwang, “meant a lot to a lot of people. We have spent a lot of time grieving. Tonight we are here to be comforted by memories and the impact Austin had.”

Pictures of Hwang were on display as friends and teammates sat in the stands and held candles in the stadium with the lights turned off.

Irvine players who attended were among those signing a book, which contained messages of sympathy for Hwang’s family. A number of them shared their memories of Hwang, one calling him a “cool dude.” Others described what a great teammate and friend he was.

The players recalled a hard-working, tough football player who epitomized Irvine football but who also enjoyed life.

“I will remember his laugh,” Brent Miller, a senior on the 2017 team said before the ceremony. “He was such a tough guy. I got the call that he was sick, and that’s when it really hit me hard. I couldn’t believe it. He was such a healthy kid and it was so unfortunate. He was going into the military and it seemed like he had his life going pretty well.

“He was extremely tough. I remember he broke his hand in the first half (of one game) and he was playing in the second half.”

“Austin was as tough as nails; he coached me to be a better linebacker,” added Zeke Alleman, who played with Hwang and was also coached by him. “He let me know I could hang with the varsity guys. He came back as a coach and he gave me the knowledge and tools that I needed to achieve. He was always there, even if you weren’t his best friend, he would be there for you.”

Hwang’s mother, Hyun Kyung (Sharon) Kim and his sister, Dabin Hwang, 16, a junior at Irvine, were in attendance.

The family’s pastor, Paul Lee of Potter’s Community Church in Anaheim, represented the family as he spoke to the crowd, trying to help his former teammates and others deal with the loss. He said that Hwang touched many lives.

“I’m sure he is looking down so happy,” Lee said.

Before the vigil, Lee said, “The family is doing good. They are sticking together and they are strong.”