A 16-year-old North Boone High School Viking football player is recovering at home following a “traumatic injury” during Friday’s playoff game against Richmond-Burton High school.

Junior running back Connor Chamberlain “is doing well. He is pretty tired, between the experience and having to be in the hospital getting poked and prodded,” his father, Jasen Chamberlain, said.

Connor was airlifted to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville but was released just before noon on Saturday without being admitted, Chamberlain said. “We were in the ER the entire time.”

A Richmond Township Fire Protection District ambulance crew was on standby at the Richmond-Burton High School school game, the fire district posted on Facebook. At about 8:39 p.m., in the game’s third quarter, the high school’s athletic training staff asked for assistance for Connor Chamberlain, who was down on the field.

He was conscious and alert, according to the post, but his injuries were considered serious in nature. He complained his neck and back hurt and was experiencing a loss of sensation in his lower extremities.

A LifeNet medical helicopter landed at the fire district station and the player was transferred to the LifeNet staff and airlifted to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

The Mercy Hospital MD-1 team and its medical helicopter out of Rockford were not available, according to the post.

Once at the hospital, Connor had a CT scan, an MRI and other tests to ensure there were no lingering issues, his dad said, adding that Connor started to get feeling to his extremities back during the flight. “He was alert the entire time.”

Doctors told them Connor suffered what they called “a stinger,” compressing his spine from the neck into his lower back, along the entire spine.

“That caused short-term paralysis,” his father said.

After the game, some North Boone players drove to the hospital to check on their teammate.

“One of the seniors was messing with him and said, ‘We won, we will need you on Friday,’” Chamberlain added. “He was ready to go.”

In fact, with Richmond leading 49-0, the first-round playoff game was called in the third quarter, shortly after Connor’s injury and ending the team’s year.

Many people have been calling or checking in on Connor and the family via social media.

“Thank you to all for your thoughts and prayers for our Viking player who was injured in last evening’s game. We are so very grateful to report that the initial test results are highly encouraging,” according to a post on North Boone Vikings Football’s Facebook page.

The North Boone District #3 Firefighters Association Facebook page sent its thoughts to the player as well.

The family was still deciding whether Connor would be in school Monday. He will see his family doctor first, before they make that call.

“If he is good to go, he will,” the elder Chamberlain said. “If there are any questions he will stay home.”