Injured Prep Player in Stable Condition

A high school football player whose injury caused the game between Covina Northview and Hacienda Heights Wilson to be called after three quarters Friday night was listed in stable but serious condition Saturday, officials at County-USC Medical Center said.

Juan Andrade, a senior linebacker for Wilson, was awake and alert and had movement in all extremities, officials said.

Andrade collapsed after making a tackle at the end of the third quarter at Covina District Field. Referees called the game with Northview leading, 34-7, as Andrade was being attended to by emergency personnel.

It was the first defeat on the field for Wilson in 31 games. The Wildcats were forced to forfeit last season’s season-opening victory over Rowland for using an ineligible player.

Dave Merrill, Wilson’s coach and athletic director, said he spent most of Friday night and Saturday morning with Andrade and his family and that the player was in good spirits.

“All Juan could talk about was football and his girlfriend, so that was a good sign,” Merrill said. “He said he just feels sore all over.”

Merrill said that as Andrade was being attended to on the field, the player told emergency personnel that he could not feel his hands or his feet. Andrade, however, began regaining feeling in his extremities during the ambulance ride to the hospital, Merrill said.

Merrill said Andrade underwent an MRI exam on his spinal column Friday night and that doctors said no damage was found. A CAT scan was scheduled for Saturday and Andrade was expected to stay in the hospital for observation for a few days.

Merrill said the game was ended because of the emotion surrounding the injury and the time that elapsed as Andrade was attended to.

“Northview’s administration came over and asked us if we would be opposed to not finishing,” Merrill said. “Under the circumstances, I agreed to that.”