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Trey works on sounding out words to strengthen his muscles in order to help him speak again. Since suffering a concussion, which led to a nearly two-week coma, Trey has worked to regain his speech and motor skills. Though sometimes frustrated, his mother Marilyn continues to encourage him through sports terminology.

Logan Sitzman wears a Trey Johnson Believe 22 T-shirt as he gets ready for practice with teammates on Wednesday, November 21, 2012. Players wore the shirts and bracelets in honor of their teammate who suffered a life-threatening head injury during a game about one month prior.

Head coach Troy Hoffman gives his team a pre-game speech before their state title game against Kent Denver. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Quarterback Logan Stitzman holds Trey Johnson's jersey before taking the field for Platte Valley's state title game against Kent Denver. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Marilyn rubs Trey's head as he refuses to get up for physical therapy. Following his occupational therapy session, he asked to lay down, but was told that it was not an option. His mother urged, "You know your teammates are out there doing two-a-days; these are your two-a-days now. You need to get stronger so you can come home."

Trey works on writing out answers for questions like his favorite color with therapist Joyanne McShea.

Trey's list of daily goals are written onto a white board. On this day, he would only complete item one as he refused the latter half of his therapy session.

Trey and his mother argue about Trey's insistence on wanting to take a nap without first finishing his physical therapy session. Though never allowed to nap, Trey did stand firm and missed the second half of his daily therapy as time ran out. Marilyn said that it's sometimes hard to dissuade Trey because he is so strong.

PT Katelyn Adams tosses a small foam football to Trey in hopes of getting him to stand up for the last half of his therapy session as OT Colleen Pomerantz (left) stands nearby. Following his speech therapy session, Trey wanted to lay down. His mother asked him not to, but he willed himself to the couch and did not get up.

After not standing up for physical therapy, Trey jumped at the chance to give assistant offensive coordinator Ben Fusco a hug when he stopped by to visit. Trey immediately brightened up at the chance to hang out with Fusco and talk about football.

Assistant offensive coordinator Ben Fusco talks to Trey about the photo slideshow he watched on his computer of his football season. In the picture, Trey can be seen getting tackled after making a reception. Before his injury, Trey was the team's number two receiver and had made four interception as a defensive back.

Assistant offensive coordinator Ben Fusco talks to Trey about a breakfast burrito he ate a few days before. Despite an unwillingness to work with hospital staff and his mother, Trey takes to Fusco's instructions to help out as though being coached on the field.

Trey Johnson's number 22 is painted alongside those of his teammates on the windows of their bus as it's parked outside of their state title game against Kent Denver. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Players support Trey's struggles by wearing various T-shirts and bracelets. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Mikayla Hoffman holds up Trey Johnson's jersey after Platte Valley took a 17-14 lead just before halftime in their state title game against Kent Denver. Platte Valley went on to lose the game 28-17. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Players wear bracelets in honor of Trey Johnson as they prepare for their state title game against Kent Denver. Platte Valley went on to lose the game 28-17 despite having a second half lead. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Platte Valley players hold each others hands in prayer following their state title loss to Kent Denver. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Trey works with OT Shaunda Harendt on sounding out words as his father Mike watches in the background. Trey did well sounding out the words, writing shopping lists and eating Cheetos -- all things that were difficult, if at all possible, just two weeks prior. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Trey walks with his father Mike back to his room. Mike asked if Trey could remember where it was -- Trey responded incorrectly as a joke on his father. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Marilyn fixes Trey's feeding tube during a therapy session in his room at Children's hospital. One or both of Trey's parents are with him at the Aurora hospital at all times.

Marilyn Johnson hugs quarterback Logan Stitzman following Platte Valley's 28-17 state title loss to Kent Denver. Though Trey could not attend, Marilyn attended in support of the team. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Trey's teammates celebrated their year end banquet at the high school in Kersey. Awards were handed out and the team watched highlights, photo slide shows and speeches. Trey was not present physically, but he was facetimed in, so he could take part in the event. Trey was surprised to find out that he earned an honorable mention as all-conference defensive back. During the speech to announce the honor, coach Troy was visibly choked up as were members of the audience. Trey went on to also be voted by his teammates as Platte Valley defensive back of the year. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

Trey is held via iPad by teammate Matthew Hoffman during the team's year end banquet. Awards were handed out and the team watched highlights, photo slide shows and speeches. Trey was not present physically, but he was facetimed in, so he could take part in the event. Trey was surprised to find out that he earned an honorable mention as all-conference defensive back. During the speech to announce the honor, coach Troy was visibly choked up as were members of the audience. Trey went on to also be voted by his teammates as Platte Valley defensive back of the year. AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post