Senior linebacker Jonathan ’Johnny’ Heubel underwent brain surgery overnight; mother asks for prayers

The McDowell High School-Cathedral Preparatory School football game was overshadowed Friday night by a serious medical emergency that occurred early in the third quarter at Gus Anderson Field.

McDowell senior linebacker Jonathan “Johnny” Heubel collapsed on the sideline and required attention from medical personnel for more than 10 minutes. Officials paused the game as players and coaches from both sides took a knee and nervously waited.

Heubel was then moved to an ambulance. His mother, Megan Heubel, posted on Facebook on Friday night that he was being flown to Pittsburgh in a Life Flight helicopter. Later in the morning, she posted that her son had undergone brain surgery.

His condition was not immediately available, nor was the hospital where he was being treated.

Heubel’s family and members of the McDowell community asked for prayers through social media as people from throughout northwestern Pennsylvania sent well wishes Friday night through Twitter and Facebook.

His mother later thanked everyone for their prayers and asked them to keep praying.

Trojan Nation, lift up our brother Jonathan Heubel in prayer and keep him in your thoughts.

— McDowell Athletics (@mcdathletics)September 26, 2020

Prayer warriors needed NOW! For Johnny Heubel #23 Seniorpic.twitter.com/5hktAVou4F

— McDowell Football Nation (@mcboostersfam)September 26, 2020

Tomorrow’s freshmen and JV football games scheduled at Prep are being postponed. Please continue to pray for Trojan senior Johnny Heubel.

— McDowell Athletics (@mcdathletics)September 26, 2020

We ask everyone to pray for McDowell senior Jonathan Heubel.

— Prep-Villa (@PrepVilla)September 26, 2020

Shortly after the second half started, Heubel had assisted on a tackle on a Cathedral Prep pass reception. He immediately stood up and ran off the field but did not appear to be injured at the time. He did not return to the game. A few plays later, he collapsed on the sideline.

McDowell school officials later announced that Saturday’s scheduled freshman game and junior varsity game against Cathedral Prep had been postponed.