1. Tragedies on the fieldAlong with the numerous triumphant performances on the football field during the fall, there seemed to be an inordinate amount of tragedy. Among them:
* Lewisville (Richburg, S.C.) running back Brian Colvin collapsed on the field during a Chester County jamboree in August and died later that evening. Heart disease is what killed Brian, tests revealed later.
* In Sept., Kody Turner, 16, a junior lineman at Chickasha (Okla.) died two days after collapsing at practice due to heat stroke. His core body temperature at practice was reported to be 108 degrees. He was eventually airlifted to OU Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City, where he died two days later. Story.
* The same week Kody perished, in Orange, Texas, West Orange-Stark senior quarterback Reggie Garrett collapsed after throwing his second touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Jasper. Reports say Garrett might have taken a blow to the head. He reached the sideline but then had a seizure and was rushed by medics already at the game to the hospital, where he died an hour later.
* Also in Sept., Trevor Roberts from McLouth (McLouth, Kan.) had part of his leg amputated following a compound fracture in his left leg sustain in a game against Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.). The senior receiver broke his tibia and fibula after registering 193 total yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He had surgery the night of the game, but later the wound became infected and was gangrenous, requiring partial amputation. Story.
* Nathan Stiles, a football star, scholar athlete and Homecoming King at Spring Hill (Kan.), died following a 99-72 victory over Osawatomie (Kan.) on Oct. 29. Stiles was hit hard after intercepting a pass in the second quarter and left the game. He already had run for touchdowns of 65 and 18 yards. Spring Hill coach Anthony Orrick told the Miami County Republic that Stiles complained of head pain before he collapsed on the sideline. He was taken to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City where he died approximately eight hours later. Story.
Over-heating and concussion issues have been at the heart of many of the tragedies and have been addressed at local, state and national levels. The game's largest league - the NFL - has taken strides, hoping its effect will trickle down to the prep level. Story.
However, not all on-field emergencies turned tragic this year. Thanks to some quick work by a cardiac nurse, Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) running back Hayward Demison (6-1, 190) is still alive. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound junior ran for a go-ahead 45-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of 28-24 win over Canby (Ore.). on Sept. 10 then sustained a heart attack. According to a report in the Oregonian, Demison had been diagnosed with athletic asthma two years earlier, but when he called for his inhaler after the touchdown it didn't help and he suddenly stopped breathing.
Nurse Lisa Lyver came out of the stands and administered CPR to revive the unconscious teenager who had not been breathing for two minutes.
“I’m just happy to be alive,” Demison told the Oregonian while resting at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. “The person that gave me CPR saved my life. I’m very thankful. I’m truly blessed. It was a close call.”
Demison is expected to be fully recovered in six months and hopes to play football again next year as a senior. Story.
