Georgia High School FB Player Laid To Rest, Initial Autopsy Inconclusive...

((HT: WTVM-TV/Ledger-Enquirer, Crouch/WRBL-TV))

Initial autopsy results on Marion County linebacker Erick Gutierrez came back inconclusive Saturday. Gutierrez collapsed at practice Tuesday and died in hospital. It may take up to 60 days for a more specific cause of death to be determined and released according to medical examiners.

The Marion County team took on Schley County in a region game Friday evening and won 39-6 solidifying their place in the post-season.

Luke Jernigan was Gutierrez’s position coach and one of the coaches who performed CPR on the fallen player.

“It was a long week, but the boys did a really good job,” Jernigan said. “They responded and were able to focus.”

Earlier Friday, the team met with Gutierrez’s family in private, away from campus. Before the game, Gutierrez’s number “54” was painted at the 30-yard line on both sides of the field. A special halftime ceremony honored the player who Jernigan described as “great young man.”

“He (Gutierrez) was a great representative of the school,” Jernigan said. “He would meet students when they arrived. He befriended anyone who came in.”

Chris Whitaker's game story from the Americus Times-Recorder is here...

WRBL-TV's Alison Flowers returned to Buena Vista before game day...