Maple Mountain High School honors Alta High School player at football game
Sep 2, 2022, 10:54 PM
SPANISH FORK, Utah — Maple Mountain High School players, cheerleaders and coaches honored an Alta High School football player Friday night who was severely injured the previous weekend.
Jalen Sutton, 17, remains hospitalized due to the spinal cord injury suffered during a junior varsity game against Stansbury last Thursday, which took place prior to Alta High’s varsity victory over Sandpoint in Rexburg, Idaho.
“We had some guys that were just shaken up bad enough that they couldn’t go,” Alta High coach Alema Teo said prior to kickoff of Friday night’s game at Maple Mountain. “We’re all really pulling for him and wishing the very best for him and his family.”
Ahead of Friday night’s game, Maple Mountain cheerleaders made a banner in honor of Jalen.
Maple Mountain coach Brad Burtenshaw said the team signed a card and gave it to coach Teo, and team captains also presented a signed football prior to kickoff. Additionally, the school directed players, their families and fans in general toward Sutton’s GoFundMe* account.
“We just hope for the best and for a speedy recovery for a young man that could be any of our players or any of our sons,” Burtenshaw said. “Hopefully with that tight-knit group, he can get the support that he needs and recovery fully.”
Alta defeated Maple Mountain, 28-19.
Teo expressed gratitude for the support of the opposing team.
“It’s a football family responding to a situation like this,” Teo said. “We’re extremely grateful and such a class act, class move by them, and we’re honored to be here tonight and we’re honored for the support that they’re giving our program.”
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
