9-Year-Old Boy Dies After Football Practice in Ohio, Officials Say

A 9-year-old boy died after football practice in Ohio, officials said, but the cause of death was not immediately known.

The incident happened Monday night at Eastern High School in Reedsville, after the boy, part of the Big Bend Youth Football League, finished running sprints, as reported by ABC affiliate WCHS and confirmed by officials from the Meigs County Sheriff's Office.

Rescuers found the boy, who plays for the Eastern Eagles, unconscious and tried to revive him.

"The staff, students, and community of Eastern Local would like to express our sincere condolences to the family during this very unfortunate time," Eastern Local School Superintendent Scott Gheen said in a statement to WCHS.

The cause of death was expected to be determined later this week, officials said.

Sarah Pullins, the president of the league, said they were "devastated."

"We have been praying and doing everything that we can do for the family," she told ABC News. "We love all these kids. The coaches did everything they could do.

"He was a spunky little boy. He was excited to play. He was a sweet little boy."

The boy's coach, Jeff Stethem, said that he had run a 50-yard sprint and was sitting on his helmet getting a drink of water on the sideline when he fell over.

"We looked over and he fell off his helmet and was laying on the ground," he said.

Stethem said that ambulances were there within 7 minutes and that CPR was being performed the whole time.

"I've been tore up over it since it happened," he said. "It's just unfortunate."

According to Stethem, the boy was "quiet" and "high-energy."

"Always running around," he said. "He was always carting around having fun."