Team loses Georgia state championship while grieving player found dead day before title game

ATLANTA — It was heartbreak for Manchester High School’s football team Monday night as they took the field in the championship game while grieving the loss of a player who was found dead this weekend.

Investigators have not said how 17-year-old Brandon Smith died.

As Monday’s championship game began, the two captains from Manchester High School carried the jersey of number 52 to center field for the coin toss.

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“We hope that they can just get through the heartbreak that we just experienced,” said Michelle Guthrie.

Monday’s game came just a day after the body of 17-year-old lineman Brandon Smith was found in an alleyway near his grandmother’s home.

He was last seen Thursday and his family filed a missing persons report Saturday.

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As investigators look for answers, on the field Brandon’s teammates fought hard. At one point, down by two touchdowns, they rallied. But it wasn’t enough to pull out a win.

Coach Stephen Holmes fought back tears after the game.

“I just told them it’s a stepping stone to greater things,” said Coach Holmes.

Investigators from Manchester Police are working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on the case.

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