SAN MARCOS - A Mission Hills High School football player clinging to life after collapsing during a football game Friday told his mother and stepfather in a e-mail three weeks earlier how much he loved them and the life they have given him.

"I realized just how lucky a kid I am," wrote 17-year-old Scott "Scotty" Eveland. "I love you two very much and felt like typing this letter to you because people need to be reminded how much they do for others all the time."

The linebacker remained in critical condition Tuesday night, according to Andy Hoang, spokesman for Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, where Scotty was rushed by ambulance after a play in the first minute in the second quarter against Santee's West Hills High School.

On Saturday, Mission Hills Principal Brad Lichtman described to reporters seeing Scotty stumble near the Mission Hills sideline during Friday's game. Coaches also noticed Scotty faltering and asked him to lie down on the field. After approximately 15 minutes, he was driven from the field in full uniform and taken to Palomar, where he underwent surgery for severe head trauma.

His mother and stepfather, Paul and Diane Luth, have refrained from commenting publicly since their son was hospitalized.

"We want to thank the community for all the support they have given us," Paul Luth said in a statement he released Tuesday along with a copy of the letter Scotty wrote to them. The Luths requested that some of the content remain unpublished.

In his letter, Scotty thanked his parents for things as simple as keeping cupboards stocked with Gatorade and Dr. Pepper and making sure he had money for tacos. He credited them with his perfect score on an Advanced Placement test and his locker room leadership skills.

"You did a very good job in raising me and I hope to achieve what you two have in your life so far," Scotty wrote.

Many people are still questioning why Eveland went down during the game. No information has been released about whether Eveland had an existing condition or injury that may have contributed to his collapse. People who have access to videotapes of the game have declined to comment on the last play Eveland was involved in.

Both schools videotaped the game, as is customary for high school programs. Most teams usually watch game film on Saturdays after their games, but Mission Hills staff members had said they had not watched the tape.

Lichtman said Tuesday that tapes of the game and Scotty's football equipment have been turned over to the district office as part of a routine division of responsibilities.

First-year West Hills coach Casey Ash said via e-mail that he would "rather not comment on the game or injury." Ash did not respond to an e-mail asking whether he had viewed videotape of the game.

Valley Center High coach Rob Gilster spent his team's off week at the game, scouting Mission Hills for a game Sept. 28. Gilster said Valley Center also videotaped the game, but he had not watched the tape. Gilster said the Jaguars are focusing on their game this week against Chula Vista Mater Dei. He said Mission Hills Athletic Director Ken Putnam told him to keep the videotape "under wraps."

"We were all at the game and we thought it was his ankle," Gilster said. "When he came off the field, he stumbled, but we didn't see anything that stood out. That's why all of us were thinking it was an ankle injury."

Gilster said the play before Eveland's injury was a seemingly normal play that occurred near the Mission Hills sideline.

With games scheduled Friday, many schools are planning special tributes or fundraisers for Eveland. The Valley Center High Associated Student Body is meeting today to form a plan, while Orange Glen football players are working on a large card that will be given to Scotty's family.

Eveland's injury has had an effect on the North County football community.

"While we are all out to get each other on the football field, we are brothers in the game and in the sport," Oceanside coach John Carroll said. "There is definitely a countywide concern amongst football players for this young man, and I am sure thousands of prayers."

Said Carlsbad High coach Bob McAllister, "There is always that reality check when it touches home and it's in your own backyard. There is a greater awareness … it hits home and you take it to heart and you pay more attention."

- Contact staff writer Matt Null at mnull@nctimes.com. Contact staff writer Colleen Mensching at (760) 739-6675 or cmensching@nctimes.com.

E-MAIL EXCERPTS

Excerpts from an e-mail critically injured Mission Hills High School football player Scott "Scotty" Eveland sent to his parents three weeks ago:

• "Hey guys, I took some time out at the beach today and thought about quite a few things. I realized just how lucky of a kid I am. Because of your hard work and ethic, I was able to drive to the beach with my friends in a state-of-the-art car (my Jeep) with insurance, a license in which you guys afforded me (through paying with my behind-the-wheel training). And that is just the tip of the iceberg with the things that you give me."

• "Any time I have financial trouble with my Jeep or ask for money to go to Mr. Taco, you have always afforded it to me. If I want Gatorade, you get Gatorade, if I want Dr. Pepper, you get it. That is so unlike almost all families. But, you two do it for us."

• "And for you two to have achieved anything close to what my grandfather did is amazing and I fully and whole heartedly appreciate it."

• "I go out with friends to dinner and out to just whatever I want to do and you trust me and give me the means to do what I enjoy. I love you two very much and felt like typing this letter to you because people need to be reminded how much they do for others all the time."

• "You did a very good job in raising me and I hope to achieve what you two have in your life so far."

• "I love you two and wanted to take the time out to let you know how much I appreciate what you have done for me."