'He was a great kid': Delmar mourns death of 16-year-old Carter Figgs at funeral
A gymnasium full of funeral blacks was punctuated by orange football jerseys Sunday afternoon as hundreds gathered for the funeral of 16-year-old Carter Figgs, a Delmar High School junior killed in a car crash Saturday, Oct. 7.
"Very simply said, he was a great kid," Delmar football coach Dave Hearn said in an emotional speech. "Every day seemed to be a good day for him, and that's what he brought to practice everyday."
Around 12:30 a.m. that Saturday morning, Figgs and three other Delmar football players were in a car traveling south on South Salisbury Boulevard in Salisbury, Maryland. The 17-year-old driver "failed to control the speed of the vehicle, crossed into the northbound lanes, and collided with a telephone pole," according to police.
Another 17-year-old in the car, Carter Powell, was critically injured but is in stable condition. The driver was charged with driving under the influence, criminally negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle and other offenses.
More: 'Friends and family meant everything' to Delmar High student mourned after fatal crash
Since then, there's been an outpouring of both grief and support for Figgs' family.
The Delmar Wildcats football team played an emotional game against Lake Forest Thursday, managing to win 30-27. Marching band members and football players wore Figgs' number, "32," on armbands. Prior to the game, the Lake Forest cheerleaders presented a blue banner that read "Delmar strong LL 32" to their opponents.
"I’m thinking just thinking about 32 and Carter Powell,” Delmar fullback Isaiah Holbrook said after the game.
Laurel High School, Delmar's nearest rival, raised money for Figgs' family with a raffle and encouraged students to trade their signature red for Delmar's blue and orange for a spirit day last week. Support flowed from other Delaware school districts on social media.
The Delmar High School gym was full Sunday afternoon, with mourners filling the bleachers and chairs. Some wore orange and blue ribbons, some wore shirts that said "Delmar Strong." Students shed tears and embraced each other.
The football team, in their orange jerseys, sat together on the bleachers in a show of solidarity. Figgs was one of Delmar's best athletes, according to Hearn, and he was always good for a handshake.
"I figured out finally that the handshake was his way of saying — not just saying thank you, because he said thank you anyway — but that ... he was my friend," Hearn said.
More: Driver charged in crash that killed Delmar student
Teacher India Elliott had Figgs in her last class of the day for the past three years. His was the first class to return to fully return to school after remote learning due to COVID-19, she said, and Figgs was the one to negotiate many an outdoor "mask break." He was "a jokester" but never mean-spirited, according to Elliott.
"Carter was really everybody's friend," she said. "He never treated anyone badly and he wanted everyone to laugh."
Ocean City, Maryland, native and country singer Jimmy Charles performed at the service. He was in town in August to sing at Heacook Fest, an event held in honor of the late Delmar Cpl. Keith Heacook.
More: Delmar football earns emotional win just five days after tragic car accident
On Saturday, Delmar will play their homecoming game at home against Sussex Tech.
Figgs' mother, Laurie Knapp, told Delaware Online/The News Journal her "life will never be the same."
More: Family 'definitely wants justice.' Trial set for man accused of killing Delmar officer
"He was always there when I needed him," she said. "He was my rock, my protector, my heart."
A GoFundMe has been created to help pay for funeral costs.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
Seeking justice: Family 'definitely wants justice.' Trial set for man accused of killing Delmar officer
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delmar grieves death of 16-year-old Carter Figgs at funeral
