UPDATE: Faribault Football Players Continue to Recover From Injuries in Accident

Four members of the Faribault Falcon football team were injured in an automobile accident Thursday night.

The four players continue to recover from their injuries suffered when the SUV they were in collided with a semi shortly before 10PM in Owatonna.

They were returning from watching the Falcon volleyball team play in Rochester against Mayo. Injured were Chase Ernste, Henry Sanchez, Alex Linse and Lamont Anderson.

Mayor John Jasinski has a son on the team and called it, "a sad day for Faribault." He asked that Faribault residents "Please remember these young men in your thoughts and prayers."

Ernste apparently was the most seriously injured and underwent surgery this morning.

The Owatonna Police Department issued a news release concerning the accident, which occurred near the intersection of 24th Avenue Northwest and Park Drive Northwest. The report states the semi was traveling north on 24th Avenue and struck the SUV the players were in, which was westbound on Park Drive. The intersection does have a stop sign for eastbound and westbound traffic on Park Drive, according to police.

The release notes Sanchez was driving the SUV and all individuals were wearing seat belts.

FHS Activities Director Ken Hubert told KDHL that head coach Ned Louis conducted a team meeting Friday morning to deliver the news and did a "terrific job."

Tonight's game with Mankato East at Bruce Smith Field in Faribault was moved to Saturday at 3PM.

Unfortunately KDHL/Power 96 will not be able to broadcast the contest due to commitments with Carleton and St. Olaf College football and the Minnesota Twins.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to the players, their families and friends.