BEDFORD, Ohio -- The cause of a high school football player's death remained undetermined Saturday, after he appeared to be injured while making a tackle Friday night.

Marcus Steele, a player for Cleveland Central Catholic High School, apparently broke his neck in the game and died as a result, the school's principal said a few hours afterward.

Janice Roccosalva said Steele, a 10th-grader, was making a tackle when he was injured in the third quarter. She said a doctor told her he broke his neck and died almost instantly.

But Cuyahoga County coroner Dr. Elizabeth Balraj said that an autopsy failed to show a cause of death. Balraj, whose staff said she was not available for comment Saturday night, told Cleveland radio station WTAM that there was no evidence of a neck injury or any injury that would cause Steele's death. She said further tests will be done to try to determine a cause.

When Steele suddenly lost consciousness, there were several efforts at the scene to revive him, Roccosalva said early Saturday.

"He was the most delightful young man, with the most wonderful smile and a great personality. He was a good student who was involved in football and basketball. He was a good player," she said.

Bedford Fire Department Lt. Terrence Salvi said an ambulance responded to Bedford St. Peter Chanel High School, where Cleveland Central Catholic was playing Garfield Heights Trinity.

A medical emergency helicopter from MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland landed on the football field and the game was suspended. Later, a priest told people who went to pray at a church that the boy died.

The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reported Saturday that Steele made the initial hit on Trinity's fullback on a play at Ripp Field, where Central Catholic plays its home games. Other players helped finish the play. When the pile was cleared, Steele -- a linebacker on defense and running back on offense -- was motionless on the ground.

As Steele was taken to the hospital, players from both teams gathered in the end zone and prayed for him.

There also was an impromptu prayer vigil at St. Stanislaus Church in Cleveland.

"Both teams were just doing their jobs," Trinity coach Jim Basha said. "I'm just shocked. I'm so numb. Of course in 27 years of coaching, I've never seen anything like this."

Central Catholic was trailing Trinity 13-8 before the game was suspended.

John Kall, an assistant coach for Trinity, said the play "was just like any ordinary football play. Marcus was trying to make a tackle."