LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. -- A young Lincoln County football player died early Thursday after being critically injured on the field.

North Lincoln Middle School player William “Will” McLeod, 13, was hurt during a game at West Lincoln High School shortly before 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Another student told Eyewitness News the boy, a wide receiver, got hit from behind, flew into the air and landed on his head, suffering internal head injuries.

“The coach told us that evening that inside his head was bleeding and they couldn’t get it to stop and it's all in God's hands,” the football player said.

Paramedics rushed the teen to Carolinas Medical Center-Lincoln and then transported him to CMC-Main in Charlotte for further treatment. Ted Mankowski, operations manager for Lincoln County EMS, told the Gaston Gazette that McLeod had a pulse and blood pressure when he arrived at CMC and his breathing was being assisted by ventilation.

The teen was in critical condition the entire time and passed away at the hospital during the early morning hours.

Counselors went to North Lincoln Middle School and the opponent’s school, West Lincoln Middle School, to help friends and football players deal with their feelings.

McLeod’s principal said the school is suffering a great loss.

“Will was an excellent student and a joy to be around. He will be sorely missed,” said Rhonda Hager.

Some students, who learned of the teen’s death after they got to school, decided to go home for the day. They were visibly shaken as they walked with their parents.

“Everyone was crying; everybody was so sad,” one student said.

Students made pins with McLeod’s number – 21 -- and football players wrote the number on the back of their hands.

“The next game is for Will,” one said.

His teammates said it’s strange to think they’ll never get to play with him again, that they’ll be seeing his face in photos.

After school many students gathered at the spirit rock on campus to paint it in honor of McLeod. The sign outside the school says, "We will remember Will."

School leaders are also talking about organizing a memorial service for the teen, but they are waiting for the family to finish funeral arrangements. They’ve canceled football practice for Thursday and a dance scheduled for Friday.

BULLETIN BOARD: Leave Your Thoughts And Condolences For The Family Of Will McLeod

MORE INFORMATION: Catastrophic Injuries To Football Players Are Rare