Until Friday, Manchester Excessive College college students had been celebrating in fashion as their soccer workforce would play in its first state championship recreation in 26 years. Nevertheless, the celebration quickly changed into mourning when it was discovered of the tragic dying of one in every of their gamers, Brandon Smith.
Brandon didn’t return dwelling Thursday afternoon, his grandmother Maxine Smith reported. On Saturday, the participant was reported lacking by Blue Devils head coach Stephen Holmes, who was additionally answerable for distributing “lacking individual” indicators all through town.
It was Holmes himself who was in control of giving the dangerous information to Maxine on Sunday when Brandon’s lifeless physique was discovered. Authorities haven’t offered additional particulars, and the reason for dying has not been established.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct an post-mortem on Smith’s physique this week and can launch the outcomes as quickly as they’re prepared, in line with information stories.
Who was Brandon Smith?
In his profile on the varsity sports activities platform Hudl, Brandon listed himself as a center linebacker who “strives to be the most effective.” In his farewell, his household and associates attest that Smith strove to attain simply that daily.
In a joint assertion, Manchester Excessive College Principal Suze Neal and Meriweather County College Superintendent Robert A. Griffin stated Brandon was “a loyal teammate and good friend who excelled on and off the sphere. He shall be deeply missed.”
They stated they felt heartbroken after studying of the participant’s tragic and untimely dying. “Manchester Excessive College’s celebration of enjoying for the Georgia 1-A State Soccer Championship has sadly changed into one thing none of us may have fathomed,” they admitted.
After explaining that authorities proceed to research the case, the assertion extends the condolences of the varsity and faculty authorities to the household. “We proceed to wish for Brandon’s household, associates, teammates, and classmates,” it concluded.
What was the results of the Championship Recreation?
Regardless of their greatest efforts, the Blue Devils misplaced Georgia’s 1-A Division 2 state championship recreation on Monday night time, in a detailed match in opposition to the Bowdon Crimson Devils by a rating of 28-27.
Manchester got here nearer on the scoreboard with a speeding landing by Darius Favors with 7:20 minutes left; nevertheless, Bowdon consumed the remaining time with their final offensive. Quarterback Kyler McGrinn took a knee on the ultimate two downs to seal his workforce’s victory.
Earlier than the opening whistle, the Blue Devils captains carried Brandon’s jersey to the middle of the sphere, in a heartfelt tribute that obtained applause from the spectators at Mercedes Benz Stadium, venue of the match.
