High school football player dies after falling ill during game

JACKSON, Miss. - The headmaster of Jackson Preparatory School says football player Walker Wilbanks has died.

The junior guard and defensive tackle was hospitalized Friday night after becoming ill during the second half of Friday night's home opener against Oxford. School officials said the 17-year-old had a seizure after reaching the emergency room. It was not immediately known what caused his illness or death.

Jackson Prep headmaster Jason Walton says Wilbanks played on the school's state championship football and baseball teams and was a member of the track team. Walton described Wilbanks as a "loving, caring, and charismatic young man."

Funeral arrangements were pending. Prayer vigils were held at Jackson Prep and at other schools and churches the past several days. Grief counselors are working at the private school.