Branson Peppers, a Boaz, Alabama native and student-athlete at Sardis High School, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in a tragic accident at an untimely age of 15.
On Saturday afternoon, tragedy struck near Sardis City, Alabama, when 15-year-old Branson Peppers lost his life in a devastating ATV accident.
According to reports, Branson was riding a 2015 Yamaha Kodiak 700 all-terrain vehicle along Cox Gap Road, near the intersection with Walter Whitt Road, approximately three miles southeast of Sardis City in Etowah County.
As he navigated a corner, he did not see an oncoming vehicle until it was too late.
The ATV collided head-on with a 2006 Toyota Tacoma being driven by a 16-year-old.
Branson was further thrown from the vehicle upon impact and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The whole community has been left shaken by the sudden and heartbreaking loss of their beloved member and Sardis High School football star.
Branson Peppers was a sophomore at Sardis High School in Boaz, Alabama, where he played for the Sardis Lions football team.
He wore jersey number 8 and played both wide receiver (WR) and free safety (FS) for the varsity squad. A member of the Class of 2028, Branson showed great promise on the field and is remembered for his dedication and talent in football.
Furthermore, many of his loved ones are paying tribute to the late Branson Peppers and extending their heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time.
Branson Peppers is Survived by His Parents, Jason and Nicole, and the Entire Family
Branson Peppers was not just an amazing football player but also a great son to his parents, Jason and Nicole Blanchard.
Although his parents are separated, they mutually took care of Branson Peppers and raised him to be an exceptional athlete and even a better human being.
Both Branson’s father, Jason, and mother, Nicole, took to their social media to express their sorrow and pay tribute to their son.
His father, Jason, shared a beautiful picture of Branson and wrote:
“This young man touched so many lives in his short 15 almost 16 years here on earth. I’m proud to call him my son but he was my friend too. He has no idea how much I miss him already.There is good in this evil greed driven world and my son #8BransonPeppers has shown us all and taught us to lean on one another. His life has meaning because of the lives he touched and changed. Sardis community, friends, and Family I love you all and I thank you for helping me raise such a fine young man. Fly high Branson, I’ll see you soon son!.”
Jason Peppers
Branson’s father, Jason Peppers, lives in Attalla, Alabama, with his wife, (Branson’s stepmother) Michele Wright Peppers, and has been working as a lead technician and engineering and maintenance manager of Americold Logistics, LLC since 2010.
Similarly, Branson’s mother, Nicole Blanchard, also shared a picture of her late son and paid tribute on social media.
Branson’s mother, Nicole Blanchard, a native of Sardis City, Alabama, graduated from Sardis High School and Gadsden State Community College and has been serving as the inside sales and purchasing manager at D&F Equipment Sales, Inc. in Crossville, Alabama, since 2019.
Prior to that, Nicole worked as a purchasing manager at DC Equipment Inc. for over 12 years, as an inside sales representative at Kaman Industrial Technologies for three years, and as a purchasing agent at Gold Kist, Inc. for six years.
Nicole is in a relationship with Tony Schlachter.
In addition to his parents, Branson Peppers is survived by his brother, Braxton Peppers, as well as his cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and the entire family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Family and friends gathered at the football stadium at Sardis High School to release balloons in late Branson Peppers’ honor.
- His family has yet to provide details about his funeral and memorial services.
