Seminole hit hard by death of former teammate Wynn
First-year head coach Eric Lodge had a feel for what might be going through the hearts and minds of Seminole High football players as they returned to campus Monday, one day after the passing of a beloved teammate.
Senior Zi’Erric Wynn, 18, died Sunday morning due to injuries sustained during an automobile accident. Wynn, a passenger in the car, played running back on last year’s region final team.
“Zi’Erric was a real popular guy. The funniest kid you’ve ever met,” Lodge said. “He had an infectious spirit and attitude, and really was a guy that everybody loved. To lose him has affected so many of our guys and so many people in the community.”
It is the second time in two years the Seminole High football family has lost one of its own during the season. Lodge and many of the juniors and seniors on the roster have been through this before.
In 2018, assistant coach Ray Caraballo died at age of 29 while working at a construction site. The accident took place less than 12 hours before the team was to recognize its senior class and play the final game of the season.
“What’s really killing me is that a lot of these boys have lost their best friend,” Lodge said. “It’s really reminded me of Ray, because Ray was my best friend. I just hurt for [Zi’Erric’s] fam
ily and all our players.”
Much like they did on the day Caraballo died, Seminole players pressed on and pieced together a productive practice on Monday after school.
“I left it up to them, and they wanted to go out and have practice, and they had a pretty good day. I was proud of them,” Lodge said. “It’s something that’s not new for us. They’re kind of used to [playing] as an escape to get away from some of the realities of life.”
Seminole (1-0) hosts Daytona Beach Mainland (1-0) in one of the area’s most intriguing Week 4 matchups Friday at 7 p.m. The Seminoles opened the season on the road last week with a 28-0 win against Gainesville.
Word of Wynn’s death began circulating on Twitter by Sunday afternoon. Messages of condolence made the rounds via accounts of coaches and players, from as far away as Deltona and West Orange to as close to home as Oviedo, Winter Springs and Lake Mary.
“Absolutely heartbroken right now,” Seminole assistant coach Kyle Graff wrote in a tweet. “We were just talking about you on the way home from Gainesville. We are gonna do this one for you my dude! I’m gonna miss your crazy self!”
Wynn was not on the football roster this fall due to academic issues. He scored four touchdowns in 11 games last season while rushing for 381 yards and catching nine
passes for 167 yards, according to MaxPreps.
“Your most amazing gift was the ability to make everyone you came in contact with smile, and we all love you for that,” wrote Seminole assistant Nick Dalton in a tweet.
Seminole will honor Wynn’s memory during its first home game this Friday with a jersey on display, decals on the players’ helmets and tributes painted on the football field.
“He was and still is a big part of this team,” Lodge said. “His memory is definitely going to weigh pretty heavily on some hearts that night.”