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Football season kicked off for area high schools Friday. And while fans across the area cheered their support of student-athletes facing off on the gridiron, the sports community was shook by news that two of their own would not return to school Monday.

Two young men from Dallas County died over the weekend. And citizens across Alabama and the nation mourned their loss even as Butlery, Lowndes and Crenshaw County fans celebrated wins for local teams including Greenville High School, Fort Dale Academy, McKenzie School and Highland Home. 

Caden Tellier, quarterback for Morgan Academy, succumbed to critical injuries he received during Friday night’s game. Another young man, Selma City Schools sophomore Au’Terrious Walter, died Friday night from gunshot wounds he sustained Wednesday.

Area schools took to social media immediately after learning the two were hospitalized, posting their concern and support for the students and their families. Administrators with Fort Dale Academy, Lowndes County Public Schools, Crenshaw Christian Academy and countless others stood in solidarity, hearts open and hurting with the families of the two as they fought to recover, then passed into eternity.

As families shared the news and promised to pray, community members learned of the deaths and expressed their sorrow even as they continued to uplift the students’ families and schools.

Watching the situation unfold, it was heartbreaking to read of Morgan Academy’s win, a victory darkened by Tellier’s death. The outpouring of support expressed by so many who didn’t know the two but grieved alongside those who did, was encouraging. It was a reminder that Alabama communities, while separated by team alliances, are one when it comes down to rallying around in times of great need.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tellier and Walter families and with the students, faculty and staff of their schools. We stand with you in grief and mourn with you the loss of two lives which had just barely begun.