Neck injury sidelines Houston County football standout Jeffery Cox

 Houston County High and the Erin community are remaining positive after Houston County senior Jeffery Cox suffered a neck injury Friday during a scrimmage against Jo Byrns.

Fighting Irish second-year coach Orman Meadows said Cox suffered the injury while making a tackle midway through the scrimmage. When it became apparent of the seriousness of Cox's injury, an ambulance was called and Cox was taken to NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield. Shortly after arriving, he was life-flighted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Houston County athletics director Ray Busey said family members have asked for privacy and did not comment on the severity of the injury. But Busey said it could take a week before doctors know what kind of timetable awaits Cox in his recovery effort.

Meadows said Cox had been communicating with the coaching staff and a few teammates Sunday "as much as he can."

"I will say that I saw him (Sunday)," Busey said. "And his spirits were up. His family's spirits were better, too. It's been really rough on them. But things are much better right now then they were Friday. It was pretty bleak Friday."

Said Meadows: "I told him how proud of him I was and that he's a tough kid and he'll fight through this. We're going to be there with him through it all."  

Friday's scrimmage was halted after the injury.

Busey, who coaches the program's middle school team, had just finished middle school practice and taken his father out for dinner at Cracker Barrel when he received a call about Cox's injury.

"That's not a great situation, and it's something you worry about in sports," Busey said. "I know I've talked to Coach Meadows and he was pretty shaken up about it. I've told him there's nothing he could have done."

Meadows said Cox was going to be the starting defensive back and tight end, but now the focus is on Cox's full recovery.

"(Monday) was the first day back to practice for our kids, and they're all still sort of collecting their thoughts," Meadows said. "Everyone's mind is on Jeffery."

Meadows said he's been contacted by Jo Byrns coach Tom Adkins.

"They've been extremely supportive, and that's really meant a lot to us," Meadows said. "They've let us know that they're here to help in any way possible."

Houston County High School's Facebook page features a site on mealtrain.com where people can donate food and money to the family.

"I know this has been hard on Jeffery's family, but we continue to pray for the best outcome," Busey said. "Our biggest hope is that he rehabs for a few months and is up running around like his old self."

Reach George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or 931-245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.