Police say they discovered Matthew Eugene Thomas' body around 7 a.m. Sunday on the Kansas City Southern railroad tracks.
The 18-year-old was a defensive end on the Vidor football team.
The Beaumont Enterprise reports that one of his final plays was an interception in the fourth quarter of the team's 36-14 win on Friday night.
Circumstances around Thomas's death remain unclear.
Justice of the Peace Derry Dunn pronounced him dead at the scene and ordered an autopsy.
Officer John Estilette says police believe Thomas was alone when the accident occurred but they continue to investigate.
Vidor football coach Jeff Mathews says "there were a lot of tears" at a Sunday team meeting.