High school player breaks neck in game, dies

Marcus Steele, a Cleveland Central Catholic sophomore, was injured in the third quarter of a game Friday night, principal Janice Roccosalva said. She said a doctor told her the youth died almost instantly.

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported that Steele made the first hit on a fullback from Garfield Heights Trinity. Other players helped finish the play. When the pile was cleared, Steele -- a linebacker on defense and a running back on offense -- lay motionless on the ground.
As Steele was taken to the hospital, players from both teams gathered in an end zone and prayed. "Both teams were just doing their jobs," Trinity Head Coach Jim Basha said. "I'm just shocked ... In 27 years of coaching, I've never seen anything like this."
br> John Kall, a Trinity assistant coach, said the play "was just like any ordinary football play. Marcus was trying to make a tackle."
The game was halted with Central Catholic trailing 13-8.

(ba/AP)