My son's friend 
Moms View Message Board: Prayer Requests: My son's friend
Please pray for family and friends of Derek, who past away yesterday afternoon. His heart couldn't take it and stopped beating. It's just so sad.
HURON TWP. ? When it comes to heartfelt thoughts to get well soon, just
about everyone at Huron High School is thinking of No. 80.
Derek Greca, a senior and a tight end for the varsity football team, was
critically injured during the Oct. 12 football game against Carleton
Airport High School.
Greca went up to catch a pass and was hit in midair by two defenders.
The blows caused the senior to suffer an intestinal tear. School
officials said the hits were not illegal.
Greca was taken to a nearby hospital and later transferred to the
intensive care unit at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where he remains.
Students and staff, along with the Athletic Booster Club and the varsity
football team, are sponsoring a powder-puff football game as a
fund-raiser at 7 p.m. Friday to help defray costs for the family.
The game will be held at the school, 32044 Huron River Drive, and will
pit the juniors against the seniors.
The marching band will perform at halftime. Boosters also will lead a
brief ceremony during halftime and several clubs will sponsor
fund-raising activities.
All proceeds will go to Greca's family.
Standing outside the high school, visitors can see just how much Greca
is in the hearts and on the minds of students. White ribbons decorate
the trees outside the school in honor of the tight end.
No one immediately knew how much damage the hits actually had caused.
Dan Kalbfleisch, head football coach, said Greca came off the field and
soon complained that his stomach was hurting. He said he had never
experienced such pain before. He then began vomiting.
The trainer and coaching staff immediately decided to get Greca to a
hospital.
"Derek is a very strong individual, and it's not typical for him to show
any pain," the coach said.
That being the case, Kalbfleisch said that when Greca said he was hurt,
he knew the athlete must really be hurt, but said in no way did anyone
know it was to this extent.
Greca has undergone one surgery already. Prior to the surgery, the coach
had a chance to visit him.
"He was the same old Derek, and he was calling me, 'nurse Kobby,"'
Kalbfleisch said. "He's just a great asset as a football player, but
also as a kid. The kids like him. The teachers like him just because of
the nature of the kid he is. He makes you happy to be around him."
Greca has a heart condition that prevented him from playing football
last year. The coach has a nephew who has the same heart condition.
Kalbfleisch said Greca was his support system when he was dealing with
his nephew's medical problems.
"He was always asking about CJ (his nephew)," Kalbfleisch said. "He was
so supportive of me and my family."
Members of the football team wore No. 80 on their helmets in honor of
Greca's jersey number at their last football game of the season Friday.
Principal Rodney Hopper said the athletic department is letting all
school groups know about the fund-raiser to get as much school
participation as possible.
Several parents of football players are keeping in close contact with
Greca's family. Many in the township are expressing their concern.
"Even with all of our flaws, this is still a great community for kids,"
Hopper said.
How sad!!! Sending out prayers for the family. :-(
Prayers for his family, friends, team and community.
How very sad. Saying prayers for everyone.
Wow, how awful. Saying prayers here too.
Oh how sad! With 2 seniors in the house- I can't imagine.
Prayers for everyone.
That is so sad. Will keep the family and fellow students in my prayers.
I just prayed for the family and the whole school .
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