Livingston's varsity football team beat the Columbia Cougars 48-14 in the Trial Blazers Bowl, a charity game benefiting a Livingston nonprofit that funds pediatric cancer research.

The Lancers received the Trial Blazers Bowl Trophy after the win, according to a West Essex Tribune photo gallery.

Livingston High School Athletics partnered with the broader community to organize the game. A pre-game ceremony brought together both schools' football teams and cheerleading squads, a member of the Livingston color guard, Township Council members and district administrators.

After the final whistle, the Lancers' football team and cheerleading squad gathered to sing the school's alma mater.

The game supports the Trial Blazers for Kids Foundation, a Livingston-based nonprofit started in honor of Jake Kestler. Jake was diagnosed with leukemia at age 7 and survived through a bone marrow transplant from his sister, Lily, who was a perfect match. More than four years later, he was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), a malignant stage IV brain tumor. He participated in an oncolytic virus clinical trial and received a cancer vaccine on a compassionate-use basis, according to the foundation's website.

The extra time allowed him to become a Bar Mitzvah, appear on ESPN, travel to Hawaii and meet his baby brother. Jake died on April 11, 2019, at age 14.

The foundation funds innovative pediatric clinical trials and raises awareness about the limited treatment options available to children with cancer.

The victory moved Livingston to 2-2 on the season, according to MaxPreps. The Lancers' next game is Friday, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. on the road.

The foundation's Blazers Ball fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain Ridge Country Club, 713 Passaic Ave., West Caldwell. As of Monday, Sept. 21, the campaign had raised $173,414 toward a $200,000 goal from 185 supporters, according to its Givebutter page.