Jacob Siebert, a freshman at Seckman High School, died early this morning (Oct. 24), officials report.
Fox School District Superintendent Dianne Critchlow said she had no details about the cause of death.
Critchlow said she had heard the rumor that Siebert's death was linked to football, but she said she had no information about that.
Siebert was on the Seckman High freshman football team and had last played in the Oct. 15 freshman home game against Parkway North, principal Don Grimshaw said.
Siebert had not been at school on Monday or Tuesday, Grimshaw said, and he did not play in a freshman football game Monday night.
Grimshaw said students and staff are mourning the loss of the young man.
"He was a neat, dynamic kid," Grimshaw said.
Seckman High head football coach Jamie Critchlow got the players together this morning to let them know about Siebert's death, and teachers informed the rest of the students during their morning advisory periods, Grimshaw said.
Grief counseling is available to students and staff, Grimshaw said.
Dianne Critchlow said she sent the district's crisis team of counselors to Seckman High to provide the counseling.
"It's always trying when a child this young dies," she said. "The school community is suffering the loss."
The young man was the son of Thomas and Tracy Siebert of Antonia, Critchlow said.
Thomas Siebert is a captain with the Rock Community Fire Protection District and the Seckman High freshman lacrosse club coach.
"Jacob Siebert went to Antonia Middle and Antonia Elementary schools," Dianne Critchlow said. "He loved to play football, loved to play lacrosse and was just a fun-loving person everyone wanted to be around. Of course, our hearts go out to his parents."
She said there will be a moment of silence before the playoff football game between Seckman and Fox high schools that starts at 7 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 25) at Fox High, 751 Jeffco Blvd. in Arnold.
--Kevin Carbery and Kim Robertson
