MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (WTNH) -- The Middletown High School community gathered to remember a former player and coach who passed away in March at the age of 23.

Stephen Hill, Jr.'s family, friends and former high school gathered at the 50-yard line on Friday to honor him ahead of the Middletown Blue Dragons' home opener against the Plainville Blue Devils.

Hill was a multi-sport athlete at Middletown High School, playing football and basketball, as well as running track. After graduating in 2019, he earned a degree at Western New England University and returned to Middletown to teach at Beman Middle School and serve as an assistant coach for the high school's football team.

“He was a force of nature,” Elisha De Jesus, Director of Athletics and Student Activities for Middletown Public Schools,

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