COLUMBIA, Ill. — A Metro East community is honoring a 15-year-old student who died in a crash over the weekend in Monroe County.
Columbia High School sophomore Crawford Bryant was supposed to be on the soccer field Wednesday night at the varsity soccer game. However, his life was cut short.
Bryant was with three other Columbia students when the single-car crash happened Sunday afternoon on Hanover Road. Two students remained in the hospital as of Wednesday night.
Before Wednesday's varsity soccer game, the team honored Bryant. His teammates are wearing armbands with his jersey number on them.
It was standing room only in the student section, with people packed to watch the team take on Mascoutah. And, the team's opponents were with them rather than against them in the moments ahead of kickoff.
"The outpouring of support and love and compassion has been heartwarming in this tragic time," Columbia Community Unit School District 4 Superintendent Christopher Grode said.
Community and compassion were a much-needed pairing for this crippling crisis.
"The impact for any tragedy like this, adults are dealing with the loss of a child, children are losing a friend ... it's been a huge impact," Grode said
The impact has been insurmountable. That's why Grode knows every helping hand is needed.
Grode said, "The outpouring from local communities, them sending social workers and counselors to assist us and calls of support have been tremendous."
Waterloo High School has shared its counselors for support. It's a different school nearby, but the pain is similarly felt.
Waterloo High Principal Tim McDermott said some students are friends with the teens in the crash.
"Some competed on teams with (Bryant) or against him over the years, and so, we are putting those competition rivalries aside and be there to help," McDermott said.
On Wednesday, Waterloo High School held a fundraiser. Students and staff were able to wear hats for a donation to the affected families.
"Our student council and student renaissance team wanted to find ways to support their peers in Columbia," he said.
While they may be rivals, they're on the same team as Crawford Bryant.
"There is a lot of good in our community we're seeing through the students and adults in the community and the willingness to help is there and will be there as we go through the next steps," McDermott said.
It hasn't been an easy journey, but Columbia soccer coach Jamey Bridges said there are signs of healing.
"The shock of being in a crash and walking away and losing a teammate, losing a friend. That's difficult for 15-year-olds to handle. That's difficult for anyone to handle," Bridges said.
This week was the start of many firsts for Columbia's soccer players Bridges said.
The first practice on Tuesday, the first JV game and the first time the varsity team would be taking the field on Wednesday night without Bryant.
A friend of the defender is senior Hayes Van Breusegen who told 5 On Your Side how the last few days have been walking around Columbia High School.
"In the halls, it's been, to be honest with you, it's been kind of somber," Van Breusegen said. "It's been kind of quiet."
But that emotion turned to strength on the soccer field as the team came together Wednesday. Columbia scored two definitive goals within minutes of the kickoff.
Friday, it will be the football team's turn to do Bryant's memory justice.
Soccer coach Bridges said Bryant had two sisters and an older brother, who is a senior on the Columbia High School football team. They'll play a rivalry game against Waterloo on Friday night.
A Facebook post by Columbia High School said, "In light of recent events, and to recognize our Monroe County community, the theme for Friday's Varsity Football game against Waterloo has been changed to Blue & Orange. We will move our Military Night Celebration to the home Football game vs. Freeburg, Friday, September 27th."
On Thursday, classes across the Columbia School District are canceled for Bryant's services. The district is offering shuttle services for students who wish to attend. As of noon on Wednesday, Grode said 200 people had already signed up.
On Friday, Columbia High School is also hosting a hat day with proceeds going to the families affected by the crash.
