High School Football Player Killed in Accident Days Before Playoff Game

A 17-year-old Tennessee high school football player tragically lost his life in a car accident last week, just days before he was set to play in the state football playoffs.

Traice Davis, a senior wide receiver for Brighton High School, died in a car crash last Wednesday, Nov. 5, according to reports. Davis, who was also a member of the school's wrestling team, passed away two days before the team's game 5A Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association state playoff game against Kirkwood High School.

"Traice Davis was the kind of athlete who didn’t just play football and wrestling, he lived them," Brighton principal Brian Crowson said in a statement to The Commercial Appeal. "He showed up early and he kept going when others would stop. He made the people around him tougher and better, simply because he refused to give anything less than his all."

Brighton plays with a hole on roster, in their hearts

Despite their tragic loss, Brighton played Kirkwood as scheduled on Friday night, losing 31-7 to end their 2025 season.

Ahead of the matchup, head coach Keith Setler shared a heartfelt message to Davis' family and the Brighton community, saying the team would be playing for the late teenager.

"Cardinal Nation there's never an easy way to put into words what can't be put into words," Setler wrote. "As a coach watching a beautiful family lose a child is heartbreaking and I’d be fooling myself to think I can offer comfort during an uncomfortable time. I can offer this, to the Davis family, the Brighton community, Brighton family of students and faculty. Traice Davis is a wonderful young man and he is genuinely loved by EVERYONE around him. I watched an entire school feel the impact of his loss and I know we will have the impact of his spirit moving forward.

"We enter Fridays contest with the blessing of the Davis family and we plan to honor them in our play. The entirety of our being is focused on praying for the Davis family and lifting them up, please join us."

After the loss, Setler posted a photo on Facebook of his team embracing at midfield following the game, along with another message about Davis.

“Definitely not the outcome we planned and worked for but I have to praise our boys on fighting through a tough emotional week for their brother and never quitting,” Setler said.