OSG High: Memorial Services Start For Brooks County 3

((HT: WALB-TV/WCTV))

Two of the three Brooks County (GA) high school football players killed in a automobile crash last week were laid to rest over the weekend.

The Tabernacle Church in Brooks County's seat, Quitman, was the place for 18 year-old Johnie Parker's memorial service Sunday afternoon.

Parker was a junior who played inside linebacker for the Trojans and his teammates were present as they were for Shawn Waters' memorial service in the church the day before.

Here's the latest from Quitman


The funeral for all-region defensive lineman Jicarre Watkins will be held this Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium- where the Trojans play their home games.

The fourth victim in the crash, De'Vron Whitfield, survived and after a stay in hospital, has returned to Quitman and is trying to rehabilitate in time to play this football season.

OSG High UPDATE: Vigil Held In Quitman After Brooks Tragedy

((HT: WALB-TV Albany))

There was a prayer vigil held in the Brooks County High School gym last night for the three Trojans football players who lost their lives yesterday in the automobile crash that left a fourth life-flighted to Shands hospital- still in critical condition...

Ben Roberts leads anchor coverage from Albany...
WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

The scariest quote comes from Coach Freeman in that piece about being a minute behind them and discovering the scene- thinking, initially, there was nothing wrong...

Coach Freeman was set to address the team this morning and have grief counselors at the ready...

One of the more admirable ideas is that Coach Freeman is going to take his time in getting his team back on the football field- as it should be...

According to Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class Victor Mobley, the state patrol’s Special Collision Reconstruction Team looks to have determined that the Ford Expedition the teens were traveling in had been traveling south on a road near the school when it veered off the east side of the road then slammed into a tree on the west side of the road as the driver sought to regain control.

1100 UPDATE: Some good news...

A spokesman at Shands in Gainesville, FL says De'Vron Whitfield is improving in his condition.

Hospital officials say Whitfield's condition has been upgraded to "fair".

The Brooks County School system is working to offer support to any student or staff member who needs it in the wake of the crash.

No word on funeral services on the three teens who have passed...

OSG High: Three Brooks County Players Killed In Traffic Accident (UPDATED)

Three Brooks County (GA) High School football players died following a morning wreck near the town of Quitman in

southwest Georgia. The teenagers were reportedly on their way to football practice at the high school when the accident occurred.

(The truck involved in the wreck is pictured right, thanks WCTV))

Valdosta Today is reporting the deaths as Brooks seniors Jicarrie Watkins, Shawn Waters and Johnie Parker, a junior- all pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. A fourth student, identified as De'Vron Whitfield, was taken from the scene by helicopter and remains in critical condition. It is believed that Whitfield was life-flighted to Shands Hospital as WCTV-TV reports that he was ejected from the vehicle.

Watkins was an all-region defensive lineman for Maurice Freeman's Trojans in 2012. He wore #72 in 2012.
Shawn Waters was a rising senior at running back and linebacker and wore #32 in 2012.
Johnie Parker was rising junior at tight end and linebacker last season wore #26 in 2012.
De'Vron Whitfield played running back and defensive back and wore #7 in 2012.

The team was set to be a top-10 team in Double-A this year in Georgia High School football...

Here's the Trojans in 2012 in their win against Mitchell County...
((HT: mitchellcountyga))


Here's Whitfield in action against Cook High School, thanks to Devron Whitfield's Facebook page...

Brooks County Schools have released a statement:

Brooks County Schools is saddened by the tragic car accident that killed three of its high school students and left one in critical condition. Counselors are available to support students and staff during this difficult time.

Brooks County Schools ask that the community, students and staff please keep the families of these students in this tragic accident in their prayers.

At this time we are unable to confirm any further details. There will be a prayer vigil at 6pm tonight in the cafeteria at Brooks County High School

PM UPDATE: According to a later post by Chappelle, it appears the driver of the pick-up- a Ford Expedition- lost control of it, veered to the left, and struck a tree.

Troopers say they weren't wearing their seat belts and that speed may have been a factor in the crash.

Head Coach Maurice Freeman released the following statement on his Facebook page:

In God We Trust. One way or the other the Trojans will still Bring That Hammer.
RIP Trojan LB's Shawn, Watkins and Johnny. Love Coach Freeman.