For a lesson in sportsmanship, look to Fryeburg Academy.

Last Wednesday, the school’s gymnasium was destroyed by fire, along with it much of the athletic equipment. Yet, on Saturday, the football team took to its rain-soaked home field, wearing donated jerseys from its biggest rival, Lake Region High School. Seventeen schools offered Fryeburg equipment. Pants came from Gorham High School and helmets from at least four schools. The team practiced for the game with a football from the trunk of a player’s car.

At the end of Saturday’s game against powerhouse Mountain Valley, the scoreboard revealed a terrible loss, 56-0 against Fryeburg.

Fryeburg Academy’s players showed a lot of character by going forward with the game under terrible circumstances, and the other schools demonstrated their own by helping out a neighbor.

Being a good sport means a lot more than just shaking hands after a game. It means acknowledging the efforts and accomplishments of an opponent, and leaving rivalries on the playing field where they belong. Fryeburg was able to show up Saturday because other people helped.

That’s how it is in life, helping people when you can, accepting help when you need it. It’s a lesson that’s usually tough to learn.