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HS Football Player Died Of Blunt Force Trauma

The Maricopa County medical examiner's office says a high school football player who collapsed on the field last month died of blunt force trauma to his head.

Charles Youvella, 17, a senior at Hopi High School, struck his head while being tackled during a Nov. 9 game. He later died at a Phoenix hospital.

He had scored his team's only touchdown in a 60-6 loss in the state playoffs.

The medical examiner's office says the full autopsy report is not yet complete.

Al Macias, former KJZZ news director, retired as KJZZ's news director in 2022. He rejoined the station as a features reporter in 2023 and also as a part-time editor in 2024.