Georgia High School Football Player, 17, Found Dead Day Before Team Was Set to Play in State Championship

Brandon Smith, a 17-year-old lineman at Manchester High School, was reported missing Saturday

A high school football player in Georgia was found dead Sunday, the night before his team was set to play in the state championship in Atlanta, according to school officials.

Brandon Smith was a 17-year-old offensive and defensive lineman at Manchester High School, located about 69 miles south of Atlanta. He had been reported missing Saturday.

A joint statement posted online by the superintendent of the Meriwether County School System and the principal of Manchester High School expressed shock at Smith’s death.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of one of our student-athletes, Brandon Smith,” the statement 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.”

The letter goes on to describe Smith as a “loyal teammate and friend who excelled on and off the field.”

The circumstances of Smith’s death have not yet been revealed.

School officials said local authorities are investigating the death. The coroner's office also is investigating, according to local NBC affiliate WVTM-TV .

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is conducting "crime scene processing," according to local CBS affiliate WRBL .

The Manchester Police Department did not immediately return The Messenger’s request for more information.

“We continue to pray for Brandon’s family, friends, teammates, and classmates. Manchester High School will have mental health support available starting on Monday morning,” the letter said.

Monday marks the first time Manchester High School's football team will make a championship appearance since winning in 1997, according to Score Atlanta .