'The No.1 athlete' and on honor roll

The high-school football star killed at a Sweet 16 party for his little sister in Alabama on Saturday night was remembered by his grieving coach Sunday as a young man of many talents.

Phil Dowdell, who had committed to playing wide receiver at Jacksonville State University, was one of the best players in the state, Dadeville HS assistant football coach Michael Taylor told AL.com.

“He was the No. 1 athlete in the school,’’ said Taylor, who also coaches basketball and track.

“The first thing we’ve got to do is we’ve got to pray our way out of this,” he said. “There ain’t no other way . . . They’re all real close, like family, at the high school.”

The tragic high-school senior’s stricken grandmother, Annette Allen, described her grandson as “a very, very humble child.

“Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face,” Allen told the Montgomery Adviser.

Dowdell apparently had a lot to smile about recently.

He proudly posted on Facebook about his commitment to Jackson State under the word “HOME’’ and only a week ago wrote, “everyday my life go up & up, it’s hard for me to get mad.’’

The same day, he shared snaps of himself and his senior-prom date, both of whom wore sparkly yellow outfits, with him in shorts and a matching jacket.

Sister Alexis Dowdell updated her Facebook profile picture Sunday morning to a photo of her kissing her brother’s cheek.

In a statement later in the day, the university’s head football coach mourned the tragedy that took Dowdell’s life and others.

“He was a great young man with a bright future,” coach Rich Rodriguez tweeted. “My staff and I are heartbroken and hope that everyone will support his family through this difficult time.”

Taylor added that the teen was a standout in track and hoops, too, as well as an honors student.

”It’s a small town. We don’t have too many crimes like this at all. So it’s shocking, very shocking,” Taylor said.

Another murdered victim was identified as fellow Dadeville senior KeKe Nicole Smith, a basketball, track and field athlete who was described as “so full of love” by Taylor.