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NAPLES — About 200 people, many of them high school students, joined Russell " Rusty " Larabell's family for a prayer service held by the pond outside Naples Community Hospital Sunday evening.

The 16-year-old Naples High School student collapsed Thursday after playing a junior varsity football game at Barron Collier High School. He was taken to NCH where surgery was performed to relieve pressure on his brain. It is not known whether the condition is football-related.

As darkness fell on the prayer service, medical personnel walked past the crowd as their shifts ended, several pausing and bowing their heads during the prayers with the hum of the NCH buildings behind them.

The service was led by the Rev. Michel Harper, director of pastoral services for NCH. Gary Edginton played guitar and led the crowd in singing "Amazing Grace."

Larabell's sister, Polly Finn, read "Footsteps," an inspirational reading, then thanked all those in attendance for their support.

"We have a lot of faith in God," she said. "And we hope that you do too."

Naples High head football coach Bill Kramer spoke about Larabell's condition.

"The reason we're here is because our hope is in God," Kramer said.

He then explained that Larabell's condition was critical, that he was in a deep coma and was "day-to-day." Kramer said that, as of today, it will have been 72 hours since Larabell had surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain. He said these 72 hours have been crucial.

"He will either start getting better or not getting better (today)," Kramer said. Kramer asked those in attendance not to be cynical or skeptical about Larabell's condition and asked that they turn to God.

Kramer said the groups Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Students Taking A New Direction would be meeting at noon today at Naples High and added that clergy would also be available for students.

Representatives from area clergy led the crowd in prayer and shared stories as the crowd joined hands. Several members of the clergy prayed for Larabell 's family.

The crowd was led in a moment of silence followed by a recital of "The Lord's Prayer." During the prayer, the family gathered between the crowd and the clergy.

As the prayer service ended, Naples High wrestling coach Corey Kness spoke.

" Rusty was not only a football player, he was a wrestler," Kness said. "When wrestlers go into the third period, they are expected to win. Rusty is going into the third period now, and I expect him to win."

After the prayer service, many students huddled together. Some hung back, unsure whether to leave; others approached Larabell 's family with hugs and expressed support.

Larabell moved to Collier County this past spring from St. Louis, Mo.