Centre County schools put support behind hospitalized Jersey Shore football player
Centre County schools are joining those across the state rallying around a Pennsylvania high school player who collapsed on the field during a game last week.
During Friday night’s games, Bald Eagle Area and Bellefonte are asking fans to wear orange in an effort to support the Jersey Shore football program and Jersey Shore senior Max Engle, whose condition has “rapidly declined,” according to a statement posted by the Jersey Shore School District on Tuesday.
Engle, a senior defensive lineman, collapsed as he walked back onto the field after a timeout during the Sept. 8 game against Selinsgrove and was taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
A Bald Eagle area alumni, Tom Gravish, is the head coach at Jersey Shore. For Bald Eagle athletic director Doug Dyke, the decision to offer support to the program and Engle was simply the “right thing to do.”
“I just can’t imagine seeing your son collapse on the field,” Dyke said. “It makes you realize what’s important versus other things that are trivial.”
The Eagles’ head coach, Jesse Nagle, agreed.
“It’s a tragic thing that happened,” Nagle said. “You 100% do not wish any injury upon any kid, let alone something to this magnitude.”
During Friday night’s game, the Eagles will have a donation bucket out to raise money for the family, Nagle said.
“All we can do is support him, his family, the community and the football program,” Nagle said. “That’s the least we can do.”
Bellefonte Area High School also organized a “wear orange to school,” day on Thursday. The Red Raiders will donate the proceeds of Friday night’s 50/50 raffle to the Engle family, according to a Facebook post.
“Let’s make this night one to remember, not only for our seniors but also for the Engle family, the Jersey Shore football team, and everyone who loves the game,” the post reads.
A friend of Engle’s has also collected donations, organizing a GoFundMe to help his family. It has garnered more than 700 donations and eclipsed its $40,000 goal within the first four days.
The GoFundMe is titled “Help the Family of Max Engle,” and was created by Liam McClain.
Bellefonte faces Clearfield and Bald Eagle takes on Tyrone at 7 p.m. Friday.
