Rochelle football's Dylan Manning remains in the hospital after a second brain surgery in two weeks, as his team honors him and fights for a playoff spot this week.
Rochelle High School running back Dylan Manning had another surgery on his brain and is still in the hospital as of Wednesday, Oct. 16, recovering from the head injury that previously required a head surgery following the Hubs' Week 6 game on Oct. 3.
And the Hubs will continue to play for Dylan.
"It's going to be that kind of season," Rochelle head coach Kyle Kissack said on Oct. 10, the first game played since Manning was injured. "We will always be thinking of Dylan."
It's still not clear when the injury occurred, but Manning became disoriented and ill after exiting the Oct. 3 game, and he was taken straight to the hospital. He had an initial brain surgery to relieve pressure and a blood clot that weekend, and had another surgery on his brain last Saturday, Oct. 11. The second one was reportedly due to an infection.
Manning's family has been keeping friends and fans abreast on his condition through social media posts, which have all been relayed through the Rochelle Hubs Football Facebook site.
The most recent post came at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15: "Thank you for praying for our friend, our brother, and our teammate, Dylan Manning. They were able to remove one of Dyl’s drains today. He is still sedated and resting well. Please continue to pray for Dyl, the entire Manning family and the medical team at Loyola. We love you Dyl. #10."
Earlier in the week, the family said that, "Patience is needed for his recovery which is the hardest part."
Rochelle will host Ottawa in its first home game since Manning's injury at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. The Hubs are 4-3 and need one more win to become playoff eligible. Rochelle hosts Waterloo in the regular-season finale on Oct. 24.
Players will continue to wear #10 stickers and patches on their uniforms and, along with cheerleaders and coaches, will also wear "Play like Dyl Today" shirts.
The Culver's restaurant in Rochelle held a special "Dylan Manning Day" on Thursday, with 10% of all proceeds were donated "to Dylan and his family." The Hubs also asked all fans to wear all purple for Friday night's game in honor of Dylan and the Manning family.
There are messages to Dylan and his family all across the town of Rochelle. On one business window that was painted by Hub cheerleaders, the message read: "Stronger Together. #10 Manning, Keep Fighting. One Team, One Town. Hub Strong."
Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at [email protected] and sign up for the Rockford High School Sports Newsletter here at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks to local youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Dylan Manning, Rochelle football player recovers after 2nd brain surgery
Category: General Sports
