NATCHEZ — Concern has mounted in the Mississippi high school football community following the death of a high school player.

Jackson Prep’s Walter Wilbanks suffered a seizure in the emergency room after being taken to Baptist Hospital intensive care Friday night. Wilbanks reportedly came to the sideline sometime during the second half, cramping and vomiting before being taken to the hospital.

Wilbanks was in critical condition and was transported to the Univeristy of Mississippi Medical Center Sunday evening, where he was treated at the neuroscience intensive care unit. Wilbanks died Monday afternoon.

It’s still unknown whether Wilbanks’ condition was caused by a collision on the field or dehydration.

Franklin County experienced a frightening situation Friday night, as well, when offensive tackle James Thomas received medical attention after Friday night’s 33-12 loss to Brookhaven High School. Chris Calcote, who served as Franklin County’s interim coach last season, said Thomas had to receive “the drip,” meaning Thomas needed an IV on account of dehydration.

The events surrounding Friday further added to Cathedral head coach Ron Rushing’s belief, supporting a later start to the season.

“I wish they would push the start of the season back,” Rushing said. “Maybe cut down the games and push back the open date. It would be nice to be pushed back like Louisiana, but then again, would two weeks make that big of a difference? We just need to put the kids first in every decision we make.”

Pam White, parent of Adams County Christian School’s Christopher White, said there’s always concern when watching her child compete in the heat. However, she believes the players’ preparation in the summer has a lot to do with what results on the field.

“If your child goes to summer workouts like they should be doing and gets themselves conditioned to the heat, then it’s not as big of a worry,” White said. “As long as they stay hydrated, and I make Christopher drink several glasses of water a week, and they condition their bodies, that will play a big factor in how their bodies react during the season.”

Rushing said he preaches against energy drinks and encourages his team to stay hydrated and gives them a urine chart to educate them on hydration.

“When I was coaching at Brookhaven (Academy), I saw a kid curled up in his locker after a game, and I immediately took him to the hospital,” Rushing said. “Turns out, he was drinking energy drinks.”

Rueters reported in a study last year that an average of a dozen U.S. college and high school football players die annually because of heart conditions, heat and other non-traumatic causes of death.