A Bigfork High School football player who collapsed during practice Monday evening was in "stable but critical" condition Tuesday afternoon.

The boy, a junior, collapsed toward the end of practice shortly after 8 p.m., just as the team was beginning its conditioning workout. It was Bigfork's first day of two-a-day practices.

Practice was nearly over when the player, whose name has not been released, collapsed. Assistant coaches Saia Misa and Sy Muir immediately began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, Bigfork Superintendent Russell Kinzer said.

"The paramedics and at least one doctor credited the CPR on the field with saving the boy's life," he said.

Bigfork ambulance, Bigfork Fire Department and ALERT helicopter responded to the 911 call, which was placed at 8:09 p.m. Paramedics continued CPR and used a defibrillator to revive the youth, said Mike Richeson, a volunteer with Bigfork Fire Department who responded to the call.

The rest of the team huddled on the sidelines and prayed while paramedics worked, Richeson said.

The boy was breathing when he was loaded onto the helicopter and taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center. At one point, Richeson said, he was in a medically induced coma.

On Tuesday morning, his condition was listed as "serious but stable." By Tuesday afternoon, he was in "stable but critical" condition, hospital spokesman Jim Oliverson said.

The reason for his collapse has not been released, and Kinzer would not give details about the boy or his condition.

The player was practicing even though he had not had a physical examination, Kinzer said. According to Montana High School Association guidelines, all students must have a physical certified by a physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner prior to the first practice.

All players were told prior to the first practice that physicals were required, Kinzer added. Two other athletes who hadn't yet had physical examinations were allowed to observe but not participate at practice.

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.