Injury stuns players, fans

Alex Pohlen knew the sound well ... very well.

The Minneota quarterback said, "When it happened, it sounded just the same as when Kyle Banks broke his leg in wrestling practice."

This time it was junior Landon Rolbiecki and the sound and next half hour or so pulled a stunned hush over K. P. Kompelien Field as medical personel and EMT's treated Rolbiecki and transported him by ambulance off the field.

When the game was mercifully over after Minneota's 84-7 win over Lakeview, the two teams gathered in the center of the field, apparently praying for the fallen player.

"It was really sad. I wish we could have just stopped the game," said senior Skylar Gilbertson, who had a big hand in the win.

"It was really hard to go back out and play," said Pohlen.

At the time Minneota led 62-7. Lakeview had just scored and on the Point After Touchdown Rolbiecki broke through in an attempt to block the kick. Another player landed on his leg and immediately Rolbiecki went down.

The game continued for 22 more Minneota points — all scored by the Vikings second team.

"It was awful," Gilbertson added.

Rolbiecki had surgery on Friday and his parents, John and Karen Rolbiecki released this statement:

"We have been receiving many calls, texts and visits regarding Landon’s condition. Here’s an update. As many of you know he sustained an injury during Thursday’s football game. The result was a clean break of his tibia and fibula.

The good news is that it was a clean break that was midway between the knee and ankle. Late Friday he underwent surgery in which a rod was placed that extends from below his kneecap to his ankle, and secured with screws.

"On Saturday, he was able to get up and walk about 50 feet with a walker. The main challenge so far has been trying to control the pain," his mother said.

On Wednesday, Karen Rolbiecki said her son Landon was still in the hospital, still has pain and was having another surgery on Wednesday.