Organ Mountain football team honoring Abe Romero one year after his death

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Friday night, Organ Mountain High School will honor Abe Romero, the student who died after suffering an injury on the football field last year.

Romero, who was the team captain, was hospitalized last August after collapsing during a game against Deming.

An autopsy report revealed Romero died as a result of a blunt head trauma injury he received during the game.

He was airlifted to University Medical Center where he died three weeks later.

Steven Manuel coached Romero in middle school. He described him as a good kid who was always respectful.

"He made a big impact in lives, even strangers that didn't know him. It was him who brought this community together," Manuel said.

He also said it has been a difficult year for the players and all who knew Romero.

"It's a rough one. The boys are still emotional. I'm emotional because coached them back in middle school. I say, we miss you, Abe. It's definitely one of those kids you miss," he added.

Manuel's son was a pallbearer at Romero's funeral.

Jossephene Manuel said her son was close to Romero, but she knows the legacy Romero leaves behind.

"He never backed down. He was always a team leader. That's why they made him the captain, because he would always encourage these boys, do your best to, you know, fight. Like, keep going, like, don't stop. And he just always pushed them to their max that they can they can do. And he loved football," she said.