MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Hampshire High school freshman football player was severely injured as a result of a post-play attack in the October 11th game at Albert Gallatin, Pa.
“Our kid (who the school requested not be identified) was running a counter play and he was in the middle of the pile,” said Hampshire head coach Aaron Rule. “One gentleman jerked his helmet off by the face mask.”
“The first individual kind of grabbed his shoulder pads and slammed him down. To me it looked like a jab, one small left jab to the face. Our offensive lineman was able to pull him off but as soon as he was pulled off, another Albert Gallatin player dove straight at our player and projected himself with the top of his helmet into the face of our player.”
“He then punched him anywhere between four to six times and with his helmet hit him and then scraped him across the face three of four more times.”
The incident occurred with about three minutes remaining in the game. Albert Gallatin led 49-0 and officials immediately ended the contest.
Rule says the play went well beyond the normal bounds of the game of football.
“In the heat of the moment, things happen during a football game. But this in no way in my opinion was a football play by these gentlemen.”
The student made the trip back to Romney with his teammates and would later be treated at a hospital in Winchester, Va. Rule says he was diagnosed with a concussion.
“He had quite a bit of swelling around his face and around his eyeball. That was kind of scary. A helmet going to the temple could have been a lot worse.”
Police are investigating the incident and the Albert Gallatin players involved could face further punishment beyond any handed down by the school.
“Albert Gallatin has done their due diligence. They have worked very hard and tireless hours in taking care of this and rectifying this situation.”
Rule says the boy will likely not return to the football field this season. The Trojans have three games remaining.
“He has three more years left to play. Hopefully he is going to be going out for wrestling this year. I am looking more for his future and what he has going on. I am not trying to put him back on the field too soon.”
“I don’t expect him to come back this year but he will travel with us and he will be around and making sure he is taking care of himself.”