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South Carolina prep football player dies after practice

A SC high school football player died hours after after collapsing on the field during practice.

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Lexington County school officials say a 14-year-old River Bluff High School sophomore died Wednesday night. Coroner Margaret Fisher could not immediately confirm the cause of his death but said he had no known prior medical problems. There will be no practice Thursday; instead, there will be a private gathering so the team can share their feelings and support for each other. Two athletic trainers and a coach tried to revive him, but were unsuccessful.

River Bluff is scheduled to play Mid-Carolina in the Lexington County Sportsarama on Friday at White Knoll.

Officials say the student received medical treatment at the school before being taken to the hospital.

At the hospital, about 15 to 20 players and coaches came to the emergency room to check up on the student-athlete.

Two athletic trainers and an assistant coach began CPR and used a defibrillator while awaiting paramedics, Mary Beth Hill, a spokeswoman for Lexington District One, said in a statement. The district says the players took regular water breaks every 15 to 20 minutes in which the players were required to leave the field and drink water.

“It was a joy to coach Lewis”, James Reynolds, who coached at River Bluff past year, wrote on Twitter.

The Lexington County Coroner’s office continues to investigate the death. We’ll all miss his smile.

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It was a joy to coach Lewis.

Lewis Simpkins