Football Team To Play Friday After Player Died Following On-Field Collapse Last Week

D’Iberville High School will go ahead with its Friday home game against Long Beach, Harrison County Schools athletic director Mike Gavin told The Mississippi Press Monday.

Warriors fullback Latrell “Fred” Dunbar died of sudden heart failure after collapsing during last week’s game at Gautier. Dunbar, a junior, was rushed by ambulance to Ocean Springs Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:40 p.m.

Gavin said that the school is planning a memorial service in the new high school gymnasium at 5 p.m. Thursday. Dunbar’s funeral will take place on Saturday in Woodville, which is located near Natchez and his father’s hometown.

The Warriors trailed Gautier 7-3 with 3:35 left in the third quarter when Dunbar fell ill, but continued the game after a 30-minute delay. D’Iberville rallied to win 17-14, but Gavin said the full impact of Dunbar’s death had hit the school community by Monday.

“We’ve had a lot of counselors on-hand at school today,” Gavin said. “It’s been a somber day, but a good day. The team and the coaches met with Fred’s family at the field house (Sunday) night, and a lot of healing took place then.”

The Warriors (3-0) will wear a helmet sticker with Dunbar’s uniform No. 18 during Friday night’s game against Long Beach (2-0). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Warrior Stadium.