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Students mourn Douglas County football star

Students and faculty at Douglas County High School are remembering a popular football player who died Monday morning.
 
Zyrees Oliver’s death came nearly a week after the 17-year-old collapsed at home following football practice. Oliver died early Monday when his family took him off life support.
An autopsy is scheduled Tuesday to determine Oliver’s cause of death.
           
Monday, Channel 2’s Tom Jones spoke to students.
 
“That was the most shocking thing I heard this year,” said classmate Shaquan Byrd.
 
Oliver’s classmates find it hard to believe they won't see him walk the halls of Douglas County High School anymore.
 
“It's just hard to take that. Like, I cried a little bit because it was just like he’s here today. And tomorrow, I can't even see his face,” said Byrd.
 
Douglas County High School Principal Tim Scott said Oliver was a special student.
 
“He was a great young man; carried a 3.8 GPA. He participated in football and track,” said Byrd.
 
The teen’s family said he became dehydrated at a recent football practice. They said he drank 2 gallons of water and 2 gallons of Gatorade. His aunt Tammy Chavis believes that contributed to his condition.
 
“You think with dehydration the more water you give, the better you're making it. No, not in all cases. It does the opposite,” she said.
 
Oliver’s family said he went home, collapsed and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
 
Counselors have been available to speak with students who needed to talk to someone about Oliver’s death.

WSBTV

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