MADISON, W.Va. — Throughout the Boone County School System Monday, students, staff, and teachers were decked out in the red colors of the Madison Middle School Red Hawks. The solidarity was a tribute to Cohen Craddock, 13, an 8th grader at Madison Middle School.
Craddock, number 75 on the Red Hawks team, died Saturday of injuries suffered in a practice drill Friday. Joe Linville is the play-by-play voice of the Scott High School football program.
“From what I understand they were going through drills and he and another player collided. He did not go unconscious immediately. They felt like something was wrong and they took his helmet off and started asking him questions. He told them he wasn’t hurt, he was just mad,” said Linville.
But Coaches could definitely tell there was an issue and called for an ambulance to be dispatched to the practice field. By the time paramedics arrived, young Cohen had collapsed from his injury and died the following day at the hospital. Linville said Craddock’s situation was on the minds of everyone at a scrimmage between the Scott High School team and Philip Barbour.
“You could just tell as the afternoon went along it didn’t sound good and by the time the contest was over, they announced the fate of Cohen Craddock,” he said.
Boone County Superintendent of Schools Matt Riggs released the following statement:
“The entire Boone County Schools’ community is beginning to mourn the loss of Cohen Craddock, an 8th grade student at Madison Middle School. As a Redhawk, Cohen was loved by his classmates, his teachers, his administrators, and the entire Madison Middle School staff. Cohen was also a member of the Red Hawks’ Football Team. Numerous additional supports will be in place beginning on Monday as our MMS students, student athletes, faculty, and staff grieve this tremendous loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cohen’s family, friends, teammates, classmates, and the entire MMS staff. As our thoughts and prayers go out to Cohen’s family, we would ask that same from the community in that his family may find healing, comfort, protection and strength. ”
The West Virginia SSAC also issued a statement of condolence to the Madison Middle School team and community.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Cohen Craddock. Our hearts go out to Cohen’s family, friends, and the entire community during this incredibly difficult time. The WVSSAC extends its condolences to the Craddock family and the Madison community as they navigate through this profound loss.”
Madison Middle School Principal Shaun Elkins asked for the show of support from other schools in wearing red in Cohen’s honor at school Monday. Funeral arrangements for the young man were still incomplete at the time of this report.
The last time a player died on a football field in West Virginia was 2019 when Roane County High School’s Alex Miller died at Clay County after getting hit and running off the field.
Roane County’s team was quick to post condolences to social media along with Midland Trail High School who lost a player to an off field incident in 2023.