DUNDEE, Fla. — Teammates of the Polk County teen who died while kayaking this weekend held a vigil in his honor Tuesday evening. 

“I never thought that Thursday would be my last day seeing him and playing with him and him asking me, ‘What’s the next play? What’s this play?’” said Daveion Butler, a senior at Ambassadors Christian Academy in Winter Haven.

One of the team’s captains, Aaron Tillman, 18, died this weekend. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said he disappeared while kayaking in Lake McLeod Sunday. Deputies found his body Monday morning.

What You Need To Know

  •  Teammates of Aaron Tillman held a vigil for him in Dundee Tuesday evening

  •  The Polk County Sheriff's Office searched for Aaron, 18, after he disappeared while kayaking Sunday. Deputies recovered his remains Monday morning

  •  Football players for Ambassadors Christian Academy remembered Aaron for his dedication and leadership

  • PREVIOUS STORY: Polk County teen who died while kayaking remembered as "gentle giant"

“I couldn’t believe it,” said sophomore Jayce Kuchinskas. “It shouldn’t have happened to anybody — especially not him.”

School leaders brought the team together for a vigil at East Central Park, displaying his number 50 jersey. Fellow team captain Eryk Anglin wore a shirt with Aaron’s picture on it.

“I had to make it special for him, let everyone know I’m here. I’m gonna rep his name forever,” said Eryk, a junior at ACA.

Eryk said he taught Aaron how to play football when he started at the school.

“Even though he didn’t know a lot, he’ll tell the other teammates, ‘We got it.’ Every play, every play, ‘We got it.’ Consistent with it. He pushed himself hard, and that was the kind of guy he was,” Eryk said.

School leaders brought the team together for a vigil at East Central Park, displaying his number 50 jersey. Fellow team captain Eryk Anglin wore a shirt with Aaron's picture on it. (Spectrum News/Sarah Blazonis)

Coaches said Aaron enrolled at the school after he moved to the area from Atlanta in February. They said the team spent so much time together between school and practice. They became like family. That’s why they said holding the vigil was important.

“As bad as this situation is as a loss, it really let a lot of the kids, and we’re already seeing it, make them see how important it is to stay in communication with each other,” said ACA Athletic Director and Assistant Coach Jay Gissendaner. “It’s like, ‘No, he’s not just my teammate — that’s my brother.’”

The ACA Stallions have a game in Clearwater this Friday. While Aaron won’t be on the field, they said he’ll be in their hearts.

“Every time we go on the field, it’s always gonna be for Aaron,” said Daveion.