American-Goleman game suspended in fourth quarter due to player’s medical emergency
Deep into a competitive football game at Milander Park on Friday night, a medical emergency suspended the game between American and Goleman in the fourth quarter.
American held a 14-12 lead over Goleman when one of Goleman’s players, receiver Jamontay Parks, collapsed near the sideline after a play.
The medical emergency resulted in a stoppage of play that lasted about 20 minutes until an ambulance arrived to treat Parks and take him to a nearby hospital.
Shortly after, the game was officially suspended.
“I’ve done this now for over a decade, and I hate to see this happen. Everyone hates to see this happen,” Goleman coach Ariel Cribeiro said. “It’s a rare occurrence, but when it happens it just takes the life out of you.
“Over the result of this game, over any football. That doesn’t matter one bit. All that matters right now is the health of that young man...Pray, all we can do is pray.”
As of Saturday morning, Goleman had received some news that Parks was diagnosed with a concussion, but did not suffer any spinal or neck injury. He was scheduled to be released from the hospital later in the day.
There are no details on when or if the game will resume. And it does not have to be since it is a non-district contest.
Leading up to the incident, Goleman had punched in the first two scores. Gators quarterback Daniel Riveron found the endzone with a three-yard run just before half to put Goleman up 6-0 going into the locker room. Out of the halftime break, two catches by sophomore wide receiver Darryl Bell created 55 yards and a Gator score to give Goleman the 12-0 edge.
Later in the third quarter, American responded with an eight play, 69-yard drive to score a touchdown and subsequent two-point conversion. Then, the Pats struck Goleman with a 45-yard touchdown throw from freshman quarterback Jack Spaeder to wide out Shamar Fowles.
Goleman was scheduled to face Westland Hialeah next Saturday at 7 p.m. while American was set to face Norland on Wednesday, September 20 for a 7 p.m. game.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 11:47 PM.