#18Strong: Hundreds of football players honor Evan Murray’s memory

Players from two high school football leagues will play tribute to Warren Hills quarterback Evan Murray, who died following an injury during play Friday night, during this weekend's games.

Helmet maker Ridell has donated 7,000 decals with the Warren Hills lightning bolt over Murray's number 18 that will be worn on the helmets of Mid State 38 and Greater Middlesex Conference players.

Twenty other assorted schools and a few youth football teams have also requested the decals, according to an email from Erin Griffin, director of corporate communications for Riddell.

"Riddell is pleased to be able to help area football teams and their players honor and remember their peer Evan Murray," wrote Griffin in an email. "The show of support from around the area embodies the spirit of this football community."

Arthur L. Johnson Regional Athletics Director Gus Kalikas and Riddell Central Jersey sales representatives Scott Kaye and Michael Frauenheim came up with the idea of the decal, according to MyCentralJersey.com. They also suggested a moment of silence to take place at the Mid 38 and GMC games this weekend.

“We just think that’s even more poignant and a nice memorial to honor him and stop the game,” Kalikas told the newspaper. Schools have the option of doing the moment of silence at the start of the game or at 18 minutes into the game.

The Warren Hills Regional School District, in a message posted to its website, said its students and staff "sincerely appreciate the support and caring of our close-knit greater Warren Hills community and the abundant support systems provided by neighboring school districts and school systems from afar."

The district will be closed Thursday while funeral services for Murray are held.

Murray, in his third year as a Warren Hills Regional High School quarterback, died shortly after a game Friday night due to a lacerated spleen, authorities have said.