The Manchester High School football team played Bowdon High School with a dark cloud over them as one of their players was found dead right before the State Championship.
According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Brandon Smith’s lifeless body was discovered on Sunday, with Manchester scheduled to play Bowdon on Monday.
Brandon was only 17.
The Manchester Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Meriwether County coroner were all on the scene following the discovery, with the GBI having since launched an investigation.
The cause of the player’s death is still unknown.
“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,” the Meriweather County School System said in a statement.
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The sophomore defensive end was described as a “loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field.”
Obviously distraught over the death of their teammate, the Blue Devils lost the game, though they put up a valiant effort and lost by a single point, 28-27. All of the students of the Manchester High School have been offered mental health support.
TotalProSports extends condolences to Smith’s family, friends, and loved ones.
