Droves of people arrived at church in Warren County to pay respects to the family of Murray, 17, who died after being hurt in a varsity football game Friday night.
Steve Fritts coached 23 years in the Warren Hills school district.
The bonds and roots in the Warren County community run deep. And it has had to summon every bit of strength from them this week amid the death of 17-year-old senior quarterback Evan Murray.
"It's good to be a Blue Streak, because you have this family wherever you go," said Fritts, a retired teacher who had Murray in his eighth-grade health and physical education class.
Fritts was among the droves of people who descended Wednesday on Faith Discovery Church in Washington Township during a viewing for Murray, a standout Warren Hills Regional High School athlete who died from a lacerated spleen suffered in Friday's night's varsity football game.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, where another overflow crowd is anticipated. Because of that, the public will have access to the high school, where they can watch a video stream of the funeral service from the auditorium and gym, school district officials said.
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Mourners streamed in to church Wednesday during a nine-hour visitation that swelled after school hours. Some students arrived in their sports jerseys, including groups of football players from rivals such as Belvidere and Newton high schools.
"Evan was a great kid -- a caring kid," said Fritts, himself an alum of Warren Hills and its football tradition.
Murray's death stunned and saddened the entire community, Fritts said, and folks naturally feel compelled to reach out to the Murray family.
"It's scary," he said. "You never know."
In downtown Washington and along busy Route 31, blue and white streamers graced utility poles. Signs that read "#18strong" and "Go Streaks" were placed up and down the roads.
Hernan and Jessie Valverde wrapped a giant blue bow around the tree outside their Broad Street shop, Allie's Cupcakery and Cafe. The Valverdes know tragedy.
Their business is named for their 12-year-old daughter, who died in 2012 of cancer.
"We had time with our daughter. She was ill for two years," Hernan Valverde said. "We were kind of prepared and had a sense her life may be a little shorter.
"For Evan's mother, it was different. It was one those phone calls you never want to get."
The Murrays, who live in Washington Township, are customers.
"We just want her if she were to pass by to know that our thoughts are with her," Jessie Valverde said.
Classmates have built memorials to Murray at the high school, and gathered there at night with votive candles and memories.
"They've been coping with it by coming together and being together," said Jessica Murphy, 19, a Warren Hills grad.
Murray was a three-year starter at quarterback, and his team was to arrive together at Thursday's viewing wearing school colors. Their next home game was postponed from Friday to Saturday night.
"I know a lot of the students want to play for Evan," said Murphy, who lives in Murray's neighborhood. "They want to play for their teammate."
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Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.