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Riverdale High football team honors teammate who died over the Summer

Posted at 11:19 PM, Sep 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-01 23:19:09-04

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rain and tears Friday night on the Riverdale high school football field. 

Family and teammates of a teen who died during practice honoring his memory.

16-year-old Zachary Martine-Polsenberg collapsed during football drills over the summer,  his family took him off life support two weeks later.

Before the game, the team walked onto the field with Zach's jersey in a frame to honor his legacy.

"We got them a case for the Jersey and they're going to carry that out and we told them as you carry that out, remember the live he lived," said Kevin Van Duser.

Four in your corner spoke to some of the coaching staff, who tell us the players have heavy hearts as they hit the field without Zach.

"I think there's a sense of loss; there's a sense of I don't know what to do, there's a sense of I'm not sure of what comes next, why?" said Jason Goss.

Zach was named an honorary captain of the team this football season. His jersey will be taken to every game and be presented at every coin toss.

Friday night's game was delayed several times due to lightning, and as students waited for the game to resume, they sold bracelets for the charity that was created in zach's honor.