VENETA - The mothers of three teenagers killed in a car crash received soccer jerseys bearing their sons' numbers in a memorial ceremony at Elmira High School.

More than 1,000 people packed the bleachers in the school gymnasium Thursday night to remember Kyle Weech, 14; Bryan Gaston, 15; and Andrew "Tax" Taxdal, 16.

The students died Saturday when their orange Honda Civic went off the road and struck several trees. The car's driver, fellow soccer player Andrew Ginder, 17, survived with minor injuries.

Soccer coach and pastor Thomas Kirk said the three dead teenagers were widely loved. "But make no mistake about it - they were easy to love," he said.

Kirk described Andrew Taxdal as a school-oriented kid who wasn't afraid to open up his geometry book while riding back from a soccer match.

But the neat, serious teen was also a dedicated player, Kirk said. "(Other players) would say, 'He's wearing himself out, he just won't quit,' and I'd say, 'I can't take him out, and that's why."'

Bryan Gaston, a cool, relaxed lady's man, once required five stitches when he injured his hand trying to open a container of hair gel, Kirk said.

The student loved creative writing, which he hoped to turn into a screenwriting career, he said.

And Kyle Weech - known as "Mr. Comedian" - idolized actor Jim Carrey and loved to travel, Kirk said.

Weech was "extremely funny but also very focused and goal-oriented," Kirk said. "He used to tease Bryan, 'If you don't do your homework, you're gonna be flipping burgers."'

Near the end of Thursday's ceremony, Kirk presented soccer jerseys numbered 14, 12 and 9 to the high schoolers' mothers. The team's other players slowly formed a line and offered hugs to their former teammates' parents.

Lance Avery, youth pastor at Olivet Baptist Church in Veneta, reminded the audience to stand by the driver.

"We don't need a fourth fatality in this accident," he said. "The boys were friends as they entered the car and they are still friends now."