It’s been a while since Johnny Thornton hasn’t been on the sideline for a Cullman County football game.

But tonight, the man better known as “The Flash” will be unable to attend any local high school games.

The decision wasn’t easy for Thornton to make. Unfortunately, it’s just something he had to do.

After having an MRI done last week, doctors informed Thornton that he had an infection in his spinal cord. He was admitted to St. Vincent’s Hospital Wednesday for treatment.

According to Thornton, he was referred to St. Vincnet’s because of the severity of the infection.

“They’re making me go there because I’m a sensitive case,” Thornton said Tuesday afternoon. “There has to be neurosergon present. Apparently St. Vincent’s is the closest place that’s equipped with what I need.”

Before leaving for Birmingham, Thornton said he hopes to return to the sidelines in the near future.

“Hopefully they’ll get this taken care of and I’ll be back on my feet,” he said. “I hope this won’t be something that takes me out for too long. We’ll just have to let the doctors do their thing and go from there.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.”

The Cullman County School System started a charity fundraiser for Thornton last week, with local high school students taking donations to help with Thornton’s expensive medical bills.

Thornton also suffers from an auto immune disorder, which he has not taken medication for in over two years.

Local high school students collected money at home football games last week. The charity is supposed to continue at home football games tonight.

• Return of the Jasper Jinx? Last season’s 35-7 win at Walker was the first time a Cullman team had won in Jasper since 1978.

Since the 1970s, home-field advantage has been an important part of the Walker-Cullman rivalry.

Walker always struggles at Cullman, and the Bearcats always struggle in Jasper.

But last season, head coach Mark Britton’s team ended what had become known as the Jasper Jinx.

Normally, the two teams would rotate home field. But since this is a realignment year for the Alabama High School Athletic Association, the Bearcats will be making their second-straight trip to Jasper.

Tonight’s game is a key Class 5A, Region 6 matchup. Cullman (1-0, 1-0)) defeated Hayden 35-0 last week, while Walker (1-0, 1-0) defeated Springville 21-7.

• Division I quarterback alert: Good Hope head coach Chris Moss didn’t have to ask who Hamilton’s biggest playmaker was.

All the Raiders coach had to was get on the Internet.

When Good Hope travels to Hamilton for a Class 3A, Region 7 game tonight, the Raiders will have to find a way to stop Josh Hollingsworth — who has committed to Mississippi State.

Scout.com has Hollingsworth listed as a two-star recruit at quarterback.

“He’s a good player, there’s no doubt about that,” Moss said. “It’s not just his arm that can hurt you. He’s a dual-threat quarterback.

“That kid is a football player.”

Hollingsworth’s uncle, Gary, was a quarterback at the University of Alabama.

The Hamilton senior threw for over 1,600 yards last season.