Mason Martin, the injured Karns City Area Jr./Sr. High School football player, had surgery for his cranial flap on Friday, Oct. 20.

A Friday morning Facebook post from Mason’s father, Denny Martin, asked people to keep Mason in their thoughts and prayers, because there is a risk of infection that comes with the surgery.

Later, Martin offered an update on his son’s condition.

“Mason is back from surgery and (the doctor) was able to successfully reinsert the cranial flap. He is doing well just resting and recovering for now,” he said.

Mason, a senior, was to have surgery last week, but it was postponed because the conditions weren’t perfect, according to Martin, who was relaying information from Mason’s doctor.

Mason is in UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, and has yet to regain full consciousness. He was playing quarterback when he collapsed Sept. 1 during a game against Redbank Valley and was flown to UPMC Presbyterian to be treated for a brain bleed and a collapsed lung.

In a post last week, Martin said the success of the surgery could help Mason’s brain begin to function in a normal manner.

“He has had another pretty good week. Each week he is improving little by little. When he is awake, he will open his eyes about halfway,” Martin said. “Before, he had to be stimulated through pain to open them. Now, he opens them spontaneously.

“If you get close to him he is able to focus in on you. He has periods throughout the day when he is responsive and periods when he is not. These peaks and valleys throughout the day are normal and expected.”

Martin said he expects Mason to remain at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital through at least the next week.

“If all goes well, then the plan is back on to attend (UPMC) Mercy Hospital to begin rehabilitation,” Martin said.

He thanked the community for its support regarding Mason and his late wife, Stacy Martin. Stacy died Sunday, Oct. 15 after a battle with breast cancer.

“Thanks again for the support, especially all the love shown for Stacy over the last week. In five days we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. Over the years, the one word that always came to my mind when thinking about her is ‘how?’” he said. “How is it possible to be that kind, that caring, and that loving all the time. She was just built different, as close to perfection as humanly possible.”

If major changes arise in the coming days, Martin said another update would follow for Mason.