CLAY, WV — The Clay County Panther Intermediate Football League C-Team returned to the field Saturday with heavy hearts and a powerful show of support for 7-year-old James Neal. Neal and his 13-year-old brother, Zayden Hurley, were killed in a crash one week earlier, and 14-year-old Evan Marling remained hospitalized.

What followed was a wave of kindness that reached far beyond one team. By Saturday, a fundraiser had brought in enough money to cover funeral expenses for both brothers, giving the family practical help during an unimaginably difficult time.

How the Team Chose to Honor James

For coach Brandon Rucker and his players, the easiest way to show love was to keep James Neal close to them on game day. The team placed Neal’s No. 33 on their helmets, turning a youth football matchup into a quiet tribute.

Rucker said the children understood the meaning behind that gesture and carried it with them through the week. He described Neal as someone who mattered deeply to the team, saying the young player would remain in their hearts through every snap, practice and game. The tribute gave the boys a way to remember their teammate while still doing something familiar together.

On the opposite sideline, Summers County showed support in its own way by wearing blue and gold socks. Those small signs of solidarity reflected how a local sports community can come together when one family needs comfort most.

Support Grew Across the State

Once news of the crash spread, other little league football teams quickly reached out to ask how they could help. The response grew steadily as families, coaches and neighbors donated what they could.

Clay County Panther Intermediate Football Vice President Reggie Brogan said the fundraiser reached its goal sooner than expected. He said the support showed how much people care in Clay County and across West Virginia, and he also noted donations came from places such as Huntington, Lewisburg and Wheeling.

The giving did not stop at state lines. Brogan said people also contributed from Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida, turning a local need into a wider community effort. For the Panthers, that outpouring offered a reminder that compassion can travel far when a child and family are hurting.

A Season Dedicated to Remembering

The Panthers said the coming weeks will continue to carry Neal’s memory. Rucker described the season as one centered on playing for James, a message meant to help his young athletes focus on something hopeful while honoring their teammate.

The support from rival teams, neighbors and donors has already given the family one important burden lifted: funeral costs are covered. Just as meaningful, the gestures on the field showed the brothers’ lives touched many people, not only within their own team but throughout the broader youth football world.

In moments like this, a simple helmet number or a pair of colored socks can mean more than words. For the Clay County Panthers and their neighbors, those details became a shared promise to remember, support and keep going together.

Real, uplifting stories from across America – GCHS Eagle's Eye.