Lost teammate to be honored at football game

LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C.,None — More than a dozen grief counselors tended to students at Buford High School in Lancaster after a student was hit and killed by a car.

Students spent part of Friday morning in the school's gym as they came together to grieve the loss of classmate Seth Muennich.

Muennich, 14, was hit by a car and killed outside the school on Thursday afternoon. He was a ninth-grader and played on the junior varsity football team.

Police said Muennich was crossing Rocky River Road to get something to eat before his football game, which was a pre-game ritual, according to the school.

"We just met in the parking lot and prayed a little bit and after that we all sat there and we were all sad," said classmate Katy Pate.

The team canceled Thursday night's junior varsity football game. Friday night's varsity game will be played in Meunnich's honor, the team he looked up to.

"It felt good to be a role model for somebody and to see him watch and know he wanted to be like us. It felt good to pass the torch," said Branden Catoe.

A coach with the team told Channel 9 that they will paint Muennich's number on the field for Friday night's game.

Buford High School is described by students as more of a family than just a school. Students said they have never lost a classmate before and that counselors are helping them deal with it the best way they can.

"I'm going to play twice as hard as I usually do. I'm going to do my best for him," said Catoe.

A moment of silence will be held before Friday night's game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Highway Patrol troopers said the accident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed against the driver.

WSOC