Injuries Remain as Main Concern for High School Football

Concussions, heat-related injuries, and sudden cardiac arrest remain as the main concerns for high school football.

That according to Brent Ryan, the Athletic Trainer for White County Schools.

“We have had a couple of heat issues as far as cramps and things of that nature the first couple of games. Just because the weather is so humid,” Ryan said. “And then we have had some concussions. If I had to pick one though, over the last couple of years, I would say concussions is the top one.”

Ryan said the schools teach safe tackling practices to avoid concussions. White County also promotes proper hydration and calorie intake, Ryan said.

“Another thing we do here is baseline testing for all student-athletes as far as concussions. It is a computer program that we have and that gives all our student-athletes a normal baseline,” Ryan said. “So if something happens or if they come up with different concussion symptoms, then we can properly go through the certain protocols we have in place.”

Cardiologist Stacy Brewington said prescreening can prevent most illnesses or injuries, including sudden cardiac arrest. Brewington saved the life of a collapsed Wofford football player at TucherStadiumm in 2016.

“From a medical standpoint, specifically a cardiology standpoint, preparticipation screenings or physicals are very valuable. There are a lot of illnesses that we can pick up ahead of time that can tell us what specific problems to look for and be ready for,” Brewington said. “Most children are healthy and if they can pass a sports screening physical then that takes care of almost all serious medical problems that can occur.”

Ryan said White County Schools keep a close relationship with emergency services and always has an AED on the field.

Student players need to vocalize their injuries and seek help when something does not feel right, Ryan said.

“They know they are supposed to come and tell us and a lot of them do. I think we have kind of went the opposite with the warrior mentality. But there are kids that will keep playing regardless of what the injury is. Sometimes they may not tell you,” Ryan said. “And eventually, you are going to find out because they’re not going to be performing at the level they once were, or you might be able to tell something in their simple running patterns. Simple stuff like that.”

Brewington said he feels the potential for injury lessens with high school athletics.

“However it does occur. Orthopedic or sports injuries can be devastating in some situations or last a lifetime. So I think the things that are in place,” Brewington said. “Such as safety measures and rules that limit the amount of contact that seemed to be aimed at protecting the participates, seem to do a good job.”