Camden High mourns loss of second athlete this year

For the second time this year, Camden High School is dealing with the loss of one of its student-athletes.

Camden senior football player Sterling Felder died Monday as a result of injuries suffered in a car accident earlier this month.

“Very tough on the team and school,” Camden football coach Jimmy Neal said. “Teams form bonds that last forever, and we are all hurting right now.”

Felder’s death comes a little more than three months after Drew David died in a car accident Aug. 6. David was a football and basketball player for the Bulldogs.

Felder was involved in a multi-car accident on U.S. Highway 1 near Boulware Road in Lugoff.

“The Bulldog Family is very saddened by the loss of Camden High senior Sterling Felder from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Sterling was a much loved member of the senior class and the varsity football team. Please continue to keep Sterling's family in your thoughts and prayers,” a post on Camden’s Facebook page read.

The 6-foot, 170-pounder Felder played on the Camden varsity squad for three years and played receiver and linebacker. This season, he was second on the team in tackles with 85, including seven for loss and two sacks. He had 13 tackles and a sack in Camden’s season finale against Lower Richland.

“Sterling was a great kid and a very good player for us. Very coachable, and it was important to him know his responsibilities and assignments each week,” Neal said. “He was very well liked by his peers and the faculty and administration as well.”

Kershaw County School District communication director Mary Anne Byrd said extra counselors were available at the school for students.

Camden pushed back its football banquet, scheduled for Monday, to Dec. 7.

Funeral arrangements aren’t known at this time.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 4:07 PM.