High school football player found dead hours before his team are due to play in state championship game at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium

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.