Report shows injuries on the rise

More players are getting hurt, too.

Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh reports football-related injuries have more than doubled over a recent five-year span, and experts warn the trend may continue.

In 2005, 92 patients were admitted to Children's with football injuries, up from 40 in 2001. On average, about three-fourths of these football-related admissions occur between September and October.

The most common football-related injuries are head injuries, but torn ligaments and severe fractures also are common. Coaches agree proper conditioning and tackling techniques help prevent some injuries, but not all.

At all games, medical personnel are on hand to treat players for anything from cramps and broken bones to head injuries.

Woodland Hills coach George Novak watched linebacker Devan Johnson fall to the ground in last week's game at Mt. Lebanon.

"It was just a cramp," Novak said. "A lot of players have muscle cramps, especially in the first week. They may not have gotten enough fluids. We try to talk to the players early on about staying hydrated."

Novak said he is more aware of his players' health and will often keep a player out of a game if he feels the athlete is not ready to return.

He recalled a game three years ago when two former Woodland Hills players, Jay Migliozzi and Dan Kirk, broke their legs within five minutes of each other.

"It was such a freak thing," Novak said.

Broken bones and bruises are easy to detect, but head injuries or other internal problems aren't as evident. In the past, when players took a hit to the head, some of them would return to the game.

Today, blows to the head, some of which result in concussions, are taken more seriously. The real damage can come on a second hit that occurs not long after the first one.

Dr. David Adelson, director of pediatric neurotrauma at Children's Hospital, said there are more injuries because players are bigger and stronger. More children also are playing football.

"Players need to learn how to keep up their stamina," Adelson said. "Especially at the end of a game or practice because when players are tired, they might be more susceptible to injury because they aren't as alert and are fatigued."

Adelson said after a player has suffered a concussion, he is more susceptible to another one. Recovery time is key.

Central Catholic running back Lamont Smith sprained his right ankle Saturday at Gateway and most likely will miss the next game Friday against Erie Cathedral Prep.

"It is still a little swollen, but not as much as (Saturday)," said Smith, who rushed for 130 yards on 22 carries and scored three touchdowns. "I can't wait to get back."

Hampton running back Steve Paskorz, who had off-season ankle surgery, said he agrees players are bigger and stronger which makes for tougher hits.

"Players take this game more seriously and sometimes players play in pain sometimes," Paskorz said.

Christopher Nowinski, who wrote a book entitled "Head games: Football's Concussion Crisis," said players with head injuries might forget the play after leaving the huddle, and coaches may not be aware of it.

"There is increased awareness of concussions, but not enough," said Nowinski, a former professional wrestler whose career ended because of a concussion. "If I knew back then, what I know now, I would have taken time to heal. My brain was scrambled."

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