SAN DIEGO -- A Mission Hills High School football player who suffered a brain injury during a Sept. 14 game was moved to a rehabilitation center in San Diego, his family said Wednesday.

Scott Eveland, who had been at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, was moved to Sharp Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center in San Diego, his family said.

"We believe this allows Scott a much better opportunity for further recovery," the statement said. "This state-of-the-art facility and their doctors and staff, specialize in brain injuries."

"Since his move, Scott seems to be responding well to his new environment and we feel very comfortable with our decision in moving him," it read.

Eveland's insurer, Blue Cross of California, had sought to have him moved from an acute rehabilitation unit at Palomar Medical Center to a less costly skilled nursing facility.

The 18-year-old's family fought the decision, arguing that moving Eveland to a nursing home would be detrimental to his recovery. They successfully appealed Blue Cross' decision to the state, which gave Eveland an additional three weeks at Palomar Medical Center.

Eveland collapsed during a home football game and suffered a subdural hematoma, and was in a coma for about a month.