Pleasant Plains vs. Riverton high school football game halted after player collapses
RIVERTON — A Pleasant Plains player collapsed Saturday night on the sideline of a high school football game against host Riverton. The game was later postponed.
With 2 minutes, and 7 seconds left in the second quarter, the Pleasant Plains sideline called timeout and yelled for assistance from emergency medical services.
Jayden Veesenmeyer, a senior running back, had just left the field, collapsed on the sideline and was attended to by medical personnel who were on-site. An ambulance arrived about 20 minutes later.
A GoFundMe page said Veesenmeyer had emergency surgery after suffering a subdural hematoma.
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On Friday, players from both teams kneeled on the turf while medical personnel gave Veesenmeyer aid. Eventually, the Riverton players walked over to kneel with the Pleasant Plains players.
Veesenmeyer was taken by ambulance around 8:15 p.m. and the public address announcer said the game was halted. The game is expected to be concluded at a date yet to be determined.
On Sunday, the school postponed the homecoming parade originally scheduled for 4 p.m.
"As some of you may be aware, last night a member of our high school football team was taken to the hospital for a medical emergency," read a statement on the Pleasant Plains Schools Facebook page. "Due to the seriousness of the event, we are postponing the homecoming parade scheduled for today until further notice. ... Please keep the family and our students and staff in your thoughts!"
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Plains (1-3) was leading Riverton 19-13 when the clock was stopped. Plains quarterback Danny Skelton rushed for three touchdowns and had 101 yards on nine carries. Veesenmeyer had five carries for 30 yards, Barnett Glisson had 27 yards on two carries and Seth Kieninger had 20 yards on two carries. Skelton completed seven passes for 76 yards.
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Plains took the lead with 3:34 left in the half when Skelton raced in for a 12-yard touchdown. On Riverton’s first play of the following possession, Kieninger intercepted Riverton quarterback Eithen Bates. Pleasant Plains ran two plays of offense before the player collapsed.
Riverton running back Terrance McIntosh helped the Hawks (0-4) take a 13-12 midway through the second. He found Landon Meyer for a 42-yard pass before McIntosh ran in a touchdown on the next play for a 12-12 tie. Bryce Oberreiter’s kick gave Riverton a lead.
Contact Ryan Mahan: 788-1546, ryan.mahan@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/RyanMahanSJR.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Pleasant Plains-Riverton football postponed after player collapses
