A high school football player is dead after collapsing on the field during a game Friday at Moon Valley High School in north Phoenix.
Carlos Sanchez collapsed during a game against Glendale Cactus and was immediately taken to the hospital where he was reportedly in critical condition.
A spokesperson with Glendale Union High School District says a team of social workers will be at Moon Valley High School on Monday to support students.
According to the Arizona Interscholastic Association, the incident happened while Sanchez was being blocked during the game.
AIA officials told ABC15 that the play was clean, as Sanchez fell back and hit his head on the ground.
David Hines, the executive director of AIA said, "There was nothing else that would bring it to a nasty hit...The officials, like any other play during the game, they were moving onto the next play when the young man went down."
Moon Valley Football Coach Seth Millican said Sanchez was "the very best of us."
"I hope his family can find some peace in knowing that Carlos Sanchez will live as the symbol of all that is pure, all that is good, and all that is selfless in the human spirit," Millican said.
Sanchez then collapsed after getting up to go back to the huddle with his teammates.
The district released the following statement to the media:
Our school community is saddened by the news of Carlos's passing. We extend our deepest condolences to Carlos's family and friends during this difficult time.
Moon Valley Principal Anat Salyer sent the following email to parents Sunday:
Good evening Moon Valley Parents and Guardians,
The Moon Valley High School Community is saddened to learn of the death of Carlos Sanchez, a high school junior and varsity football player. Carlos passed away over the weekend after Friday night's game. Our school community is truly heartbroken by this news and we all extend our deepest condolences to Carlos's family and friends during this difficult time.
To support our students, the district will assemble a team of trained social workers to be at Moon Valley on Monday. Those in need of assistance with their feelings of loss and grief will be allowed to visit these professionals throughout the day. In closing, if we can be of assistance to you and/or your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Sanchez's family to go towards medical bills and funeral costs.
A Meal Train has also been created to be delivered to the family.
The Moon Valley Rockets have a home game on Friday. T-shirts with #CarlosStrong on them will be sold by the MVHS Rocket Boosters to help the family as well.
