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FOXBORO - You might think that no competitor could win the hearts of local sports fans so completely as have the world champion Red Sox and the unbeaten New England Patriots.

But that would only mean you haven't met 9-year-old Ryan Hayes.

And that you missed the adoring reception the Foxboro High School's football players, cheerleaders and fans gave the Burrell School third-grader during the town's homecoming pep rally and game last month.

"I'd like to be a cheerleader. They have pom-poms and they do amazing tricks. I'd like to be a cheerleader some day," Ryan said later in his sweet, piping voice.

But his favorite sport is golf because, "You hit it with a stick." With his dad, Ronald Hayes, at his side for the pep rally, Ryan was named honorary captain of the Warrior team and had his picture taken with cheerleaders. He was given a football signed by the high school players, as well as two caps, a T-shirt and a sweatshirt.

At the start of that night's football game against Sharon at the Ahern Middle School field, Ryan joined the huddle and was presented with another football, this one signed by all the New England Patriots players.

Though using a wheelchair because he recently broke his leg, Ryan is playing on a bigger field than any baseball diamond or football gridiron.

His struggle is on the field of life, itself.

Ryan was diagnosed with medulloblastoma cancer of the brain five years ago, according to his father and school staff. His illness was in remission for two years, but has since spread to his spine. He receives treatments at the Jimmy Fund clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and has been a patient at Children's Hospital.

"He is an adorable, loving and friendly child who is unfortunately fighting a very big battle for such a little guy," said Janet Meeker, who tutors Ryan at the school.

"We, as a community, would like to come together and help Ryan and his family with the rising costs associated with his disease and to let them know that we are thinking of them," Meeker said in an event notice.

The Burrell School is hosting a pasta dinner to begin the fundraising efforts. The dinner will be held on Friday, with two seatings: 5 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $5 per person, and children under 2 will be served free. Tickets can be purchased at the Burrell School or by calling school nurse Linda Mealey at 508-698-6524 or Denise Abdou at 508-543-9239.

The event will include raffles and a silent auction, with Celtics, Bruins and Patriots baskets among the prizes.

Meeker and Mealey, along with Sunshine Committee members Abdou and Lauren Schmall, who are school parents, organized the dinner and raffle baskets. Questions about the spaghetti dinner, which Ryan plans to attend, put him on a roll about his favorite foods: "Garlic bread and meatballs, fruits and vegetables and meats and candy and cookies and cake and brownies. I like cupcakes and muffins and pies, chocolate milk and chocolate ice cream."

Ryan, who attends school part time, said he likes school because all his friends are there and he has lunch with them.

"I love to learn with Mrs. Meeker. I like math time and spelling time," he said. "Mommy helps with my homework."

Anyone interested in making a monetary donation may make checks payable to the Foxboro Helping Hearts Fund, and send to: Foxboro Federal Savings, One Central St., Foxboro, MA 02035. All of the proceeds from the fund will go to assisting Ryan and his family.