Prayer vigil scheduled for Karns City player who collapsed during Friday’s game
A prayer vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, for Karns City Gremlins quarterback Mason Martin, who collapsed during Friday night’s game against Redbank Valley and was transported by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.
The incident happened midway through the third quarter as Mason lined up for a kickoff return after a Redbank Valley touchdown. The rest of the game was called off.
On Saturday, Karns City Area School District superintendent Eric Ritzert issued an official statement expressing prayers for the family on behalf of the school.
“Medical professionals on site quickly responded and transported the student to the hospital,” Ritzert wrote. “Our prayers are with him and his family as he recovers. I know many of our students and families were at the game and saw this happen. We will have counselors available at school on Tuesday if any of our students or staff members need to talk to somebody.
“Thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, and support of our student and his family.”
Counselors will also be available during the prayer vigil at Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School’s football stadium on Sunday night.
There was a private prayer vigil at the high school gym Saturday afternoon, overseen by the Rev. Paul “Cutty” DeBacco. This vigil drew about 50 friends, family members and others connected to the team, according to an attendee.
The impact of Martin’s injury has spread far and wide throughout Butler County, with messages of support spread across social media from community organizations and other teams. Fox’s Pizza in Chicora, just a few miles south of Karns City, changed their marquee to read, “PRAY FOR MASON.”
Many associated with or close to the team changed their Facebook profile pictures to a picture of Mason in his football uniform with the text “MasonStrong.”
The Montineau Youth Football Association announced that it would take donations at the gate for the Martin family at all of its games on Saturday. The group also planned a moment of silence before each game in honor of Mason and his family.
Two youth football games in the county scheduled for Saturday have been canceled — one between Karns City and Redbank, the other between Slippery Rock and East Brady.
