Moon Valley High School football player dies after collapsing on field

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Glendale Union High School district has released a statement confirming the death of Carlos Sanchez, a Moon Valley High School football player.

Our school community is saddened by the news of Carlos' passing. We extend our deepest condolences to Carlos' family and friends during this difficult time.

Sanchez, 16, was taken to the hospital after collapsing on the field following last Friday night's football game.

The school says there would be a team of social workers on the Moon Valley campus to support students, and there are plans for a vigil to take place on Tuesday night.

On Monday, Moon Valley's head football coach, Seth Millican, spoke on Sanchez's death.

(Can't see this Facebook video? Click here)

The team is scheduled to play Peoria on October 27. On Monday, however, Moon Valley's football practice field was solemn and quiet. School officials said they don't know if the school's team will practice, in light of the tragedy.

"It's devastating," said David Hines with the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). "It's hard on the kids who are his teammates, the school, his classmates, and the whole community."

Sanchez passed out, following what to many seemed a routine play, as Moon Valley took on Cactus High School.

"It was typical football play," said Hines. "The kid was playing defense. It was a play that came his way. He was getting blocked, went over backwards, hit his head on the ground. It was not a helmet to helmet hit. There was no illegal hit or penalty involved."

Officials said Sanchez got up and made his way to the huddle, but then collapsed. He died later at a Phoenix hospital, following surgery.

GoFundMe page for Carlos Sanchez
https://www.gofundme.com/cs33strong