The Brief A 12-year-old North Texas football player collapsed on the sidelines during a game. A North Texas middle school football player is still alive thanks to an emergency plan playing out on the field. Lucky for Garcia, the football game was in a school district with a comprehensive CERP in place. Monday night, she was in the stands watching her 12-year-old son play in a middle school football game against Euless Junior High School, when he suddenly dropped to the ground. Garcia, who plays o-line strong tackle for Haltom Middle School in Birdville ISD, collapsed on the sidelines.