Hours after the news of the death of Warren Hills quarterback Evan Murray spread, others within the New Jersey high school football community offered their sympathies following the tragic news. Murray suffered an injury during Friday night's game against Summit. According to a witness, Murray took a hit and walked to the sideline under his own power, but later collapsed...
Hours after the news of the death of Warren Hills quarterback Evan Murray spread, others within the New Jersey high school football community offered their sympathies following the tragic news.
Murray suffered an injury during Friday night's game against Summit. According to a witness, Murray took a hit and walked to the sideline under his own power, but later collapsed and was taken away in an ambulance. He died later, and the cause of death is unknown. Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke said an autopsy is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Summit made a statement Saturday, offering condolences to the Murray family and Warren Hills.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Warren Hills quarterback dies after football injury
"On behalf of Coach Kostibos, Principal Sears, Athletic Director Lockhart, the Summit athletic department and our entire community, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the Murray family and the Warren Hills community for the loss of their son, teammate and friend, Evan Murray," Summit Superintendent June Chang said in the statement. "The loss of someone so young and so suddenly is tragic and we stand together with the Warren Hills community during this time of grief."
In a letter addressed to the Summit community, Chang said he, Kostibos, Lockhart and Director of Guidance Lauren Kaplan met with the team on Saturday morning, allowing coaches and players to speak, as well as providing information on support services.
Warren Hills also offered a statement on Murray's death, as district interim Superintendent Gary Bowen offered condolences and thanked everyone for their support.
The news sent shockwaves around the Mid-State 38 Conference and the rest of the state. Hillsborough coach Kevin Carty said he has never experienced something like this during his 10 years as a head coach. Carty said the coaching staff has not met with the team yet, but his main priority will be addressing their concerns and being available for his players.
"We'll try to learn as much about this as we can, and if there is something we can teach our guys to be safer in the future, then we'd like to do that," Carty said. "But if there isn't, then we just need to be there for them."
Week 3 games around the state continued on Saturday in wake of Murray's death. Cedar Creek played Holy Spirit early in the afternoon. When asked about Murray following the game, wide receiver and Michigan commit Ahmir Mitchell said he had not heard about the situation, but understood the its gravity.
“First thing rest in peace to him and all my heart and emotion goes out to his family. That’s No. 1," Mitchell said. "No. 2, we know what we do coming out on the football field and we know the risks we take. Hopefully nobody gets hurt that seriously. It’s very sad to hear something like that. When we go on the field, we know what we’re risking. It’s part of the game, and sadly it happened."
While an incident like this is almost unfathomable, coaches realize that there is a risk every time their teams step on the field.
"It is an unfortunate reminder that injuries are a part of our game. I treat every player on our team like a son and I would be devastated if something like that every happened to one of our kids," Freehold Borough coach Dave Ellis told NJ Advance Media on Saturday. "Our hearts go out to the family, the school and the community for the loss, which stunned everyone in our program."
MORE: Teammates, coaches mourn loss
Other New Jersey football programs shared their condolences for the Murray family and the Warren Hills community on Saturday morning through Twitter.
Words cannot express the sadness we feel for the loss of such a special young man. Cont.
— Summit Football Fans (@SummitNJFB) September 26, 2015
Deepest condolences to Evan's family, friends & the Warren Hills community. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
— Summit Football Fans (@SummitNJFB) September 26, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to warren hills football. Rip evan murray.
— UC FOOTBALL 2015 (@UCFOOTBALLNJ) September 26, 2015
Hearts go out to Warren Hills and their quarterback Evan Murray after his passing. Stay strong.
— Midd South Nation (@MiddsouthNation) September 26, 2015
R.I.P. Warren Hills QB, Evan Murray. Cougar Country sends our deepest condolences to the Warren Hills community.
— Cougar Connect (@cougarconnect1) September 26, 2015
Our prayers go out to the Warren Hills community and the family of Evan Murray.
— PPL Tigers Football (@PPLTigersFball) September 26, 2015
Sending prayers to his family. Rest in peace Evan Murray ❤️ https://t.co/XaLHVmrlcY
— The Tribe (@WHTribe) September 26, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Murray family and Warren Hills.
— BR Football (@LegacyFootball1) September 26, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to Warren Hills and the Murray Family https://t.co/h7dADZ8xPd
— KinnelonHS Athletics (@KHS_Sports) September 26, 2015Bill Evans and Joe Zedalis contributed to this report.
Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com or in the comment section below. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyanHS. Like NJ.com Football on Facebook.