WCHS football players to be pallbearers at teammate's funeral | People

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The football team at West
Columbus High School will leave school early Friday so they can attend a
teammate's funeral.

Joshua Powell, 16, died
Tuesday evening after he was hit by a car when chasing a basketball in
front of his home. He was wearing headphones and dribbling a basketball outside
of his house in Cerro Gordo at the time.

Powell, a junior at West Columbus High School, was an
offensive guard on the varsity football team where he wore the number 56. Six
of his teammates will serve as pallbearers during his funeral service Friday.

Three counselors were at the high school Thursday. According
to Principal Jeffrey Greene, two pastors spoke with football players at
practice Wednesday night.

A moment of silence will be held at half time during the
school's football game Friday night. Greene said family members want to
dedicate a Carolina Panther's football Powell received at an NFL game to the
school.

Powell's viewing is Thursday at Meares Funeral Home in Fair
Bluff, 6-9 p.m. His funeral will be at Hinson Crossroads Baptist Church in
Cerro Gordo, Friday at 2 p.m.

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