Georgia high school football player found dead day before team’s championship game

A beloved Georgia high school football player was found dead a day before his team was scheduled to play in its first state championship in more than 25 years, according to school officials and reports.

The body of 17-year-old Brandon Smith was discovered Sunday but details surrounding his “untimely” death, including the cause, remain unclear.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,” Manchester Schools Superintendent Robert Griffin and Manchester High School Principal Suze Neal said in a joint statement posted on the school’s website.   

“Manchester High School’s celebration of playing for the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship has unfortunately turned into something none of us could have fathomed.”

The school leaders said the tragedy was being probed with more information expected to be released by the authorities.

A scene tied to the death was being investigated by police Sunday afternoon, 11 Alive reported. The student was reported missing on Saturday, according to the station.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed to WRBL that it was assisting Manchester police with the “crime scene processing.”

“We continue to pray for Brandon’s family, friends, teammates, and classmates,” Griffin and Neal wrote, adding. “Brandon was a loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field. He will be deeply missed.”

The school’s football team is slated to play Bowdon High School on Monday in its first state championship contest since 1997, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The game is scheduled to take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium where the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons play their home games.