A Saratoga High School player was severely injured during MVHS’ Homecoming football game against SHS on Friday, Oct. 4.  Staff was readily available to help as MVHS policy requires at least three administrators and the Athletic Director to be on site for the game, but there were even more staff present due to it being the Homecoming game.

According to Principal Ben Clausnitzer, the Athletic Directors from both MVHS and SHS were first to make contact with the player immediately after his fall, following standard procedure. After assessing the situation, they determined it necessary to call the on-site doctor, who requested for external medical intervention. The firemen were the first on the scene and found the severity of the injury fit to call in the ambulance.

Staff members and parents positioned themselves across the campus and on McClellan Road, making sure there was enough space for the ambulance to come in and directing it to the field.  

“At that point, once the player is in medical care, we’re really just following the paramedics’ directions in terms of what they need,” Clausnitzer said. “In terms of fans, they’re very respectful in those moments. Understanding when folks are injured, and for us to hold people tight so that the emergency vehicles can get in and out can get folks to the right medical care they need.”

Clausnitzer says it was this community effort that was essential to getting the Saratoga player the help he needed. He adds that MVHS’ response that night was carried out according to procedure. 

“You can never know exactly if there will be an emergency or if there won’t be,” Clausnitzer said. “It was a very good response from the Athletic Directors to the doctor, to administrators, to staff, to the teams, to the coaches, to the fans in the stands.”

The Saratoga player could not be reached for comment. On his Instagram account, he has since posted details about his injury, expressing gratitude for the support from both the MVHS and SHS community.