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11 months ago
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A high school football player has been found dead a day before his team was due to play in a state championship game at the Falcons' Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The player has been named by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution as Manchester High School sophomore Brandon Smith, citing a letter from Meriwether Schools.
'We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,' the letter, released by Meriwether schools superintendent Robert Griffin and Manchester principal Suze Neal, said.
'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.'
Smith was reported missing on Saturday.
Brandon Smith (pictured) has died just hours before he was due to take the field in Atlanta
Smith and his Manchester High football teammates had reached the state championship
Smith (right) is seen in an undated photo weight lifting. The teen has been pronounced dead.
Smith was reported missing on Saturday and was found dead on Sunday, say reports
Smith was set to play with his team at the Georgia 1-A State Football Championship
He was 17 years old.
His cause of death has not been confirmed.
WRBL-TV reported that officials were investigating a scene roughly half a mile from the school.
Manchester High is set to face Bowdon on Monday night in the Class A Division II final.
As noted by the AJC, it's the school's first championship game since 1997.
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