Tri-County Academy center killed in car accident

Tri-County offensive lineman Taylor Martin, 18, was a soft-spoken guy off the field who constantly wore a smile during conversation and was a leader on the field for the Rebels, quarterback Beau Johnson said.

"I have never taken a snap without him being my center since ninth grade," Johnson said. "To know that today was the last day that I would ever take a snap from him blows my mind. I'm just lost and confused just thinking of what to do now that the guy that has started every down with me throughout my whole high school career is gone. He was very involved in church and without a doubt in my mind he was right with the Lord."

Martin was killed in a one-vehicle crash Tuesday night on Highway 433 near Sadler Road, MHP officials said. Coroner Ricky Shivers said he was notified of the wreck at approximately 10:20 p.m. Martin was pronounced dead on the scene.

The tragic news comes less than two days before the Tri-County football team is scheduled to play for the MAIS Academy A/AA state championship against rival Canton Academy. The game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Jackson Academy.

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Tri-County coach David Blount said Martin was the team's starting center.

MHP said Martin was driving a Nissan westbound when he lost control and struck a tree off the roadway. Martin was then ejected from the vehicle and the MHP believes Martin ran over some loose gravel in the roadway causing the vehicle to lose control.