A team photo shows Caden Tellier, the quarterback at Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, who died last weekend after suffering a brain injury during a game. The school shared photos of Tellier and called for donations to support his family.

John T. Morgan Academy

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John T. Morgan Academy

The new school year has begun with tragedy at two Alabama high schools, where teenage football players have died in the past two weeks.

On Friday, Caden Tellier, 16, suffered a serious head injury while playing quarterback in the home opener for John T. Morgan Academy in Selma. His death was announced the next day.

The same day Tellier’s death was confirmed, a funeral was held for another high school football player about 115 miles southeast of Selma. Semaj Wilkins, 14, died after suffering a medical emergency during a practice at New Brockton High School.

Caden Tellier passed away last weekend

Tellier was “in critical condition in the hospital with a brain injury” following Friday night’s game against Southern Academy, according to a statement from Michael McLendon, executive director of the Alabama Independent School Association.

McLendon did not provide further details about Tellier’s condition or how he was injured.

Tellier, a junior who led his team in touchdowns and rushing yards last year, ran for a touchdown in the first half of Friday night’s game but was injured in the third quarter, the Selma Times-Journal reported. An ambulance was called to the field to take the quarterback to the hospital.

Tellier was “a shining light every day he graced the halls of Morgan Academy,” principal Bryan Oliver said on Facebook. “He was a student, a friend, an athlete, and most importantly, a follower of Christ.

During a prayer meeting for the Tellier family on Monday, his father, Jamie Tellier, who coaches soccer at Morgan Academy, said his family is grateful for the support they have received.

“The outpouring of love we have received from everyone in this room, and from people across the country who we have never met, should say a lot about who my son was — who my son is,” Jamie Tellier said.

Semaj Wilkins died on August 13

New Brockton High School shared this photo of running back Semaj Wilkins during a memorial service for the freshman, who died earlier this month after collapsing during a practice.

New Brockton High School

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New Brockton High School

Semaj Wilkins joined the New Brockton High School team after playing for Enterprise High School the previous year as a junior in high school. He was a running back who could run the ball at the line of scrimmage or roll out to catch a pass, as seen in videos on his online athlete profile.

Semaj collapsed during an afternoon workout on a hot day, with a high temperature of 96 degrees. Officials called his mother, Regina Johnson-Adams, to warn her.

“I panicked. I grabbed everything I could think of and ran,” Adams told local news outlet WDHN. “And I got to that field and I was devastated because they wouldn’t let me with my baby.”

An emergency crew took Wilkins to Medical Center Enterprise, less than 10 miles away. But he did not survive. His high school held a memorial ceremony for Semaj a week before the season started.

“Semaj was a young man who brought joy and inspiration to his colleagues, teammates, coaches and faculty. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him,” Coffee County Schools Superintendent Kelly Cobb wrote on Facebook.

Cobb added that the county sheriff’s department and the district attorney’s office are investigating Wilkins’ death, which is considered standard procedure under the circumstances.