Escondido’s Dang in Critical Condition

Escondido senior Vu Dang was in critical condition at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido after being injured Friday night in his football team’s 14-0 victory over San Marcos.

Dang left in an ambulance after being hit in the fourth quarter. A team statistician said Dang appeared to have trouble breathing. Emergency crews tended to him on the field before departing for the hospital.

A Palomar Medical Center representative said Dang sustained a head injury and was undergoing a CAT scan.

In the game, Escondido (1-3, 1-0) collected its first victory behind the rushing of Marc Crnkovic (19 carries, 95 yards) and Scott Caudle (14-69). Quarterback Kelly Pettigrew also threw for 70 yards and one touchdown, completing eight of 17 attempts.

Mike Frank, who began the year as the Cougars’ quarterback, hauled in a 13-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter to give Escondido its 14-0 lead. Mike Ferguson scored the first touchdown on a one-yard run.