Monday's Report: Manchester High death; Falcons, GHSA state football; College 🏈/ W&M 🏀/📰, NFL, NBA, MLB, golf
Coming Monday, Tuesday: Coverage of Perry and Stockbridge in the GHSA Class 4A state final on Tuesday
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Around/About Georgia/Southeast
Manchester High player dies day before state championship game
Instead of preparing for its third state championship game since 1965, Manchester High and the Meriwether County community are mourning the sudden death of Brandon Smith.
The sophomore was found Sunday afternoon in a neighborhood just south of downtown and less than a mile from the high school. WRBL of Columbus reported that the crime scene was at 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street.
Smith was reported missing on Saturday, although how long he was actually missing is unclear. There would normally be state championship games on Friday and Saturday, but the schedule this year is different, with the championships starting Monday.
Manchester is scheduled to play Bowdon at 7 p.m. Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the GHSA Class A/Division II state title game.
The school district sent a letter to parents Sunday afternoon confirming the death:
“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,” it said in part. “Brandon was a loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field. He will be deeply missed.”
Manchester is a Region 6 opponent of Macon County and Taylor County.
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