A lot was on the line Friday night, when North Schuylkill faced Pottsville Area during Week 10 of the regular high school football season.
Ghosh Field at Spartan Stadium was filled to capacity on both the home and away sides with parents and fans who wanted to see their team take home the Schuylkill League Division 1 title.
The packed stadium went silent though during a scary moment during the 3rd quarter with 6:10 left on the clock, the team's quarterback, Jaden Leiby, #6, went down during a tackle and never got back up.
The game was stopped for roughly 10-15 minutes while team doctors from St. Lukes and members from the Washington Ambulance tended to Leiby.
Leiby was eventually put on a stretcher and raised his hand to the crowd, while being surrounded by his concerned teammates, as he was loaded into the ambulance.
Leiby was transported to Memorial Field in Ashland where he was flown to area hospital.
As of 11:00am, Saturday, no information has been released on his condition.
The North Schuylkill School District issued the following statement “ Jaden was seriously injured during last night’s football game. At this time we are respecting the privacy of Jaden and his family. Please keep Jaden in your thoughts and prayers. ”.
We will have more information when it's available.
Schuylkill County communities have shown a lot of support behind Jaden, as shown below
Our Seniors with the Schuylkill League Division 1 trophy. Our thoughts are with you #6! pic.twitter.com/ONMA2ObZF4— North Schuylkill SD (@NorthSchuylkill) October 26, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with North Schuylkill’s Jaden Leiby and his family. #Prayersfor6— Shen QB Club (@ShenQBclub) October 26, 2019
Best wishes go out to Jaden Leiby, you’re in our thoughts.— Minersville Football (@MinersFB) October 26, 2019
Sending out all our prayers to Jaden leiby from North schuylkill football team. 🙏— LHS Cheerleading (@lahscheer) October 26, 2019
Thoughts and prayers to Jaden Leiby! Hoping for the best!— Schuylkill League (@SchLeague) October 26, 2019
Our thoughts and prayer go out to @jadenleiby_ and his family. Our hope for a full recovery.— PSU Schuyl. Baseball (@PSUSch_Baseball) October 26, 2019
Prayers for Jaden Leiby, his family and the @NSAthletics1 family from the Marian Colts #Prayersfor6— Marian Colts Football (@MarianColtsFB) October 26, 2019
The Pine Grove Area School District community sends prayers and positive thoughts to our friends in North Schuylkill School District, their community, and especially #6. pic.twitter.com/yE9Dj1laZK— Heath W. Renninger (@PGASD_Supt) October 26, 2019
Thoughts and prayers go out to Jaden Leiby, his family and @NSAthletics1— Pottsville Athletics (@PAHSathletics) October 26, 2019