Platte-Geddes Team Remembers Teammate Who Died in House Fire

PLATTE, S.D. (AP) — High school football players in the Platte area have paid tribute to a former teammate who died along with his family in a house fire.

The Daily Republic reports that members of the Platte-Geddes team wore a special No. 28 sticker on their helmets for a Friday night game against Kadoka.

The number earlier this season was worn by Michael Westerhuis, a sophomore on the football team. School officials say that Westerhuis, his parents and three siblings died in Thursday's fire at their home 3 miles south of Platte.

Platte-Geddes athletic director Frank Cutler says the sticker was a way to show that Westerhuis "is in our thoughts and prayers."

Local, state and federal officials are investigating the cause of the fire.

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