All-Star football game stopped when fan requires emergency medial aid

MANHEIM – The Berks-Lebanon football squad didn’t have many highlights to show for its participation in the annual Tri-County All-Star Game Friday, but there was a memorable moment.

When the father of a Lancaster player watching from the stands was stricken and required emergency medical attention during halftime, players from the Berks-Lebanon squad invited their rivals to midfield for a group prayer.

Players from both sides knelt in a large huddle as Elco’s Aidon Fritsch led them in the Lord’s Prayer.

The senior linebacker did that after each of his team’s practices leading up to the game. As players from each side and fans throughout the stadium looked on tensely as the emergency crew worked on the stricken fan a member of Matt Bauer’s Exeter coaching staff – which coached the Berks-Lebanon team – suggested the group prayer, and that Fritsch lead it.

“Our coaches called me over and wanted us to get everyone together and pray for this person’s father,” said Fritsch.

A few minutes later, after the man was taken away on a stretcher, the game was officially stopped. The Lancaster County team led 14-0.

Bauer said his players were eager to get back on the field after regrouping at halftime but the circumstances obviously called for play not to resume.

“In the end, as much as we are competitors, life intervenes and we had to do the right thing for the support of the young man and his family,” Bauer said. “Everyone’s very upset.”

Lancaster took the lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Warwick’s Jack Reed to Lancaster Catholic’s Jaevon Parker. It went up 14-0 late in the second quarter on a 3-yard TD run by Hempfield’s Grant Hoover.

The Berks-Lancaster team had a few good moments in the first half. Muhlenberg’s Gio Cavanna, a 1,000-yard running back, lined up in the slot and caught three passes, the last a 35-yarder from Wyomissing’s Ben Zechman. Exeter’s Kyle Lash had a sack. Wilson’s Nick Weitzel and Muhlenberg’s Charles Joof combined on a sack.

Berks players had waited seven years to play in a spring All-Star game; the Berks Senior Classic was last played in 2016.

“We would’ve liked to have had a longer experience,” Bauer said, “but I thought it was a good experience for (all of the players).”