Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Injured Demond Hunt is in the hearts of inspired Flyers

Team wants to honor him with how they play

EAST ST. LOUIS -- When the East St. Louis Flyers take the field at Clyde Jordan Stadium tonight for their Southwestern Conference game against Granite City, they will have a little extra incentive.

That will come from injured linebacker Demond Hunt Jr.

Hunt, who suffered a serious head injury in the Flyers' win over Collinsville last week, remained in fair condition at Cardinal Glennon Hospital in St. Louis on Thursday. And while his season is over, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Hunt will be on the minds and in the hearts of those associated with the Flyers football program.

"I went up to see him yesterday (Wednesday) and he was in good spirits. Demond wants us to carry on and continue to be successful and we want to do it for him," said Flyers defensive lineman Chadwick Rivers. "He is a big part of this football team and we're wishing all the best for him."

Hunt's number will be well displayed tonight. Flyers players will have his No. 13 on the back of their helmets and his jersey will be on the Flyers' sideline.

"I'm sure there will be signs and posters around the football field as well," East St. Louis coach Darren Sunkett said. "We know that he (Demond) is on the road to recovery and that he knows that we're all pulling for him.

Hunt's mother Shanai McLorn said Thursday that Demond had a bad headache during the day and underwent an MRI late in the afternoon. Test results were unavailable.

In addition to the response Hunt has received from the East St. Louis community, he also is receiving tributes from other schools.

Collinsville players gave Hunt a Kahoks' No. 13 jersey and a signed football. The items were presented by Kahoks coach Mike Liljegren to Flyers coach Darren Sunkett, who handed them over to Hunt.

"Our kids just wanted to do something for him," Liljegren said. "Our booster club sent over flowers and a card. Our kids liked that, but they wanted to send something that meant something to a football player.

"These kids cherish their jerseys. He's No. 13, so we sent over our No. 13 home jersey for him. And all the kids wanted to sign a football for him."

J'Vaughn Williams, a freshman at Collinsville, was wearing No. 13. Liljegren said Williams will wear No. 15 for the rest of the season.

Ranked second in the Class 7A state poll, the Flyers (4-0, 5-1 Southwestern Conference) will be heavy favorites against Granite City (3-3, 1-3 SWC) today.

"You can never take an opponent lightly, especially in the Southwestern Conference," Sunkett said. "We've played well in the last few games, but we can still improve in every area of the game.

"Our goal remains to keep improving each week."