Centennial High School Athlete Dies in Dickson County Accident

FRANKLIN, TN — A senior member of Centennial High School's baseball and football teams died in vehicle accident in Dickson County Monday.

Jim Cheek, a three-year member of the baseball team who was a wide receiver for the Cougars in this his only season on the gridiron, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on private property in Charlotte, according to the Dickson County Sheriff's Department.

"It’s a very emotional time. We just ask that everybody prays for the Cheek family and the Centennial community. It’s a time to grieve, dealing with the loss of one of our family members,” Centennial High football coach Matt Kriesky told The Tennessean.

In a statement, Centennial principal Leigh Webb said Cheek's family is heavily involved at the school.

"He played baseball most of his life and has played with/against so many students across Williamson County. He was a member of the Centennial High baseball team, and this year, his senior year, went out for the football team. There you could see his love of sports and competition continue to grow. His coaches were sharing this morning that he had a smile on his face every day at practice and worked hard to get on the field to win for his school and teammates. Jim’s entire family is active in our school family. His mom Lea is a long-time parent volunteer and spent all of the past weekend helping us lead the Centennial Holiday Show. Jim’s sister is a student at Mississippi State and is a former CHS Cheerleader. The Centennial school community is a family like no other. Students, parents, teachers and coaches all share in a close relationship here and our grief is heavy. However, the strength of this community will see us through. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Cheek family," she wrote.

The Dickson County Sheriff's Department said the accident is under investigation.