MHS officials stated Dougherty sustained a brain hemorrhage and was operated on immediately at Hackensack University Medical Center to relieve pressure.

"The family is waiting for another set of neurological tests to be done," Schools Superintendent Frank Alvarez told The Times this afternoon. "The family is going to then go into a conference with doctors to discuss the results."

Alvarez reported Tuesday that Ryne’s medical team had informed the family that it was unlikely that Ryne’s condition would improve.

"This is a tragedy for our community, and we stand behind Ryne and his family," Alvarez stated.

Alvarez indicated that school officials informed students of Dougherty’s injury and condition in a school-wide announcement Tuesday morning. A mass e-mail message was sent later that day to MHS parents.

"We are providing guidance to the entire school community, with special attention to the football players and coaches and to the Civics and Government Institute, of which Ryne is a member," stated Alvarez. "School psychologists and guidance couselors, Student Assistance Counselors and our child study team are offering emotional support."  

In her statement e-mailed to MHS parents, Interim Principal Judith Weiss described the events leading up to the injury. "During a play … Dougherty went down, got up, fell, and was rushed to Hackensack Medical Center."

A referee from the game’s officiating crew, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described to The Times the play during which Dougherty suffered the injury.

"The player was on defense trying to make a tackle and got sandwiched between two Don Bosco players," the source said. "It appeared that during the second player’s attempt to block the Montclair player, he clipped him in the head."

Dougherty’s collapse followed "a minor skirmish," according to a statement released by the high school. The school reported that staff, players and fans at the game stated Dougherty tackled another player "without any above the-neck contact between himself and the other young man, then abruptly collapsed."

In the same release, the district stated Dougherty stood briefly before collapsing a second time. The statement added that the Montclair coaching staff immediately summoned an ambulance.

Police arrived shortly after Dougherty’s collapse and an ambulance followed. Dougherty was rushed to the trauma center in Hackensack University Medical Center.

John Porcelli, assistant principal of athletics and student activities, stated in the school release that the incident did not seem to have been caused by Dougherty or other players’ actions or by a lack of safety precautions during the game.

"Our athletes’ safety is always paramount. We want them to know that although accidents can occur in any game, every precaution will always be taken by our coaching staff and that of our opposing teams," Porcelli stated. "There were no reports of unsafe play or of fair game rules not being observed."

Listed in the Montclair High School football program as a 5-foot-7, 175-pound linebacker, it is Dougherty’s third year playing football for the Mounties. As a sophomore, Dougherty ran track.

"The football coaches have said nothing but good things about Ryne," said Porcelli. "He is a terrific young man."

Alvarez urged the community to "join us in keeping Ryne and his family in our thoughts and prayers."

"This young man is a valued member of our school community, a member of the Civics and Government Institute and a bright, promising student we’re proud to call our own," Alvarez stated. "He’s very much in all of our thoughts today and we’re all pulling for him."