Counselors were available at Mansfield Summit High School on Friday to help students cope with the death of a junior varsity football player who collapsed during a game and died.

Dozie Njeako

School spokesman Terry Morawski identified the player as 15-year-old sophomore Dozie Njeako.

"It has been a very, very difficult day," said Summit prinicipal Donna Grant. "We told our faculty to be prepared for students with different levels of grief. Teachers were allowed to talk with their classes about it if they felt comfortable doing so. For students that needed extra attention, counselors were available for one-on-one sessions, as needed.''

Witnesses said Dozie collapsed while jogging to the Summit sideline following a play early in the third quarter Thursday against South Grand Prairie.

Athletic trainers from Summit and South Grand Prairie administered CPR in an effort to revive Dozie. Paramedics continued CPR as they transported him to Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, where he died.

On Friday, friends, teammates and coaches remembered Dozie.

"The thing that stands out the most about Dozie is he was always in a good mood. I never saw him down, never saw him upset. He always had a smile on his face and he was happy to talk with you," said Summit football coach Kyle Geller.

A candlelight vigil was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the high school at 1071 West Turner Warnell Road in Arlington. Attendees were asked to wear blue, the high school's color.

Friday's varsity game between Mansfield Summit and South Grand Prairie was rescheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Gopher-Warrior Bowl in Grand Prairie.

Randy Jennings