(KMZA)--The community of Sabetha is mourning the loss of one of their own, following the sudden death of  Tim Edelman just prior to Tuesday night's football game between the Sabetha Bluejays and the Riley County Falcons. 

Edelman, the father of Sabetha sophomore starting cornerback Alex, and Sarah, Senior head cheerleader of the high school cheer squad, was getting ready for the game in Riley County when the tragedy occurred.. 

Local EMS was called to the scene, reportedly an hour prior to game time for a medical emergency, with the 49-year-old Edelman rushed to the Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan, where he died. 

Sabetha High School Principal Todd Evans commends the support shown, in the school's time of tragedy, by their counterparts in Riley County: 

Riley County's USD 378 has also issued a statement, saying “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Edelman family and the entire Sabetha community. We are shocked and saddened by Tim’s untimely passing and join his family and the Sabetha community in mourning the loss of a father and involved community member. We will be cheering on Sabetha as they move on in the class 3A football state playoffs.”. 

Edelman was a familiar face at Bluejays football games, assisting with the video recordings of the match-ups.

His funeral services will be Saturday morning at the NorthRidge Church in Sabetha beginning at 10:00. 

Despite the tragedy, and maybe as an improvised honor to the well known Bluejays fan, Sabetha went on to win 28 to 8 Tuesday night.  They next play Saturday evening at 6:00, hosting Rossville.