Players share 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' with area kids

By Briana Gorman

bgorman@heraldsun.com; 419-6668

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina offensive lineman Kyle Jolly stands at 6-6 and 310 pounds and spends most Saturdays playing in front of a crowd of thousands.

But Thursday evening, Jolly and some of his teammates entertained a group of 5- and 6-year-olds with books.

Eleven Tar Heels volunteered to read 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' to the Chapel Hill Titan youth football team as part of Jumpstart's Read for the Record on Thursday.

Read for the Record is an international campaign to bring children together with adults to read the same book on the same day all over the world.

"It was fun," Jolly said. "I haven't read ['The Very Hungry Caterpillar'] in a while. But I have read that book before and I like that book so I'm glad that's the book they picked for this."

The players got into the reading Thursday, with four groups of two or three players speaking to about five or six children. Junior safety Deunta Williams sat on the floor with his group, while junior offensive lineman Alan Pelc preferred to sit in his chair while showing off the pictures. There were also plenty of high-fives as the Tar Heels inquired how the Titans' season was going.

"I volunteered right off the bat," said Jolly, whose favorite childhood book is 'Where the Wild Things Are'. "I love doing anything that involves going and speaking out to the community."

The Titans, who are coached by former UNC defensive back Errol Hood, also took a tour of Kenan Stadium and watched the Tar Heels practice. At the end of the reading session each child got a signed copy of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', which were purchased using donated meal money from the Tar Heels.

But the best part of the event for Jolly?

"Just the kids being here and learning the importance of reading," Jolly said. "None of us would be here if we didn't know how to read."

Running back ready

Coach Butch Davis said earlier in the week that backup tailback Ryan Houston might see more playing time, and the junior said he's feels ready to carry the ball more. Houston has 32 attempts for 159 and four touchdowns so far this season. He's averaging 4.7 yards a carry and said he thinks he can help the inexperienced offensive line with his physical style of running.

"I feel like I can help us win," Houston said. "I feel like I can pound it and I can get yards. If they call on me, I'll be ready."

Injury update

Jolly was listed as questionable for Saturday's game in the weekly injury report after spraining his ankle against Virginia. ...Wide receiver Josh Adams (shoulder), quarterback Mike Paulus (shoulder) and fullback Devon Ramsay (knee) were also listed as questionable. ...Offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper (ankle), fullback Anthony Elzy (shoulder) and linebacker Linwan Euwell (ankle) are probable. ...Tight end Zack Pianalto (foot) and Ryan Taylor (knee) are doubtful, and center Lowell Dyer (shoulder) will miss his fourth straight game.