Varsity Insider: Injury lends perspective
Editor's Note: Ben Stallman is a senior at Souhegan High School and a wide receiver/defensive back on the SHS football team. He entered the 2008 season with 60 career receptions, which is a school record. He also set the school record for receptions in a season when he caught 35 passes last year. Ben was named to the Division III All-State First Team following the 2007 season. His Varsity Insider column will appear each week throughout the season.
As Friday's Division III contest between the Souhegan Sabers and Pembroke Spartans commenced, it appeared to be another successful home game for the Sabers. Their defense opened with a good stop of the Pembroke offense after a little struggle, and the Sabers' offense wasted no time in turning the defensive stop into six points, as two plays put the first score of the game up on the board.
With every defensive stop by the Sabers' defense, the entire team became more excited but also more relaxed, allowing the offense to play calmly and smoothly, with no fear of making mistakes. With the first half nearing a close, the Spartans' offense began to drive the ball on the ground a little bit and lined up for a field goal attempt. The kick sailed wide left, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty on Souhegan kept the drive alive.
However, that was far from the first thing on our minds, as two players on the field goal block unit did not get up at the end of the play. One of the players rose slowly and struggled to walk to the sideline, where it was discovered he suffered a foot injury. The second player was not as fortunate. He lay flat on the field, not moving arms or legs, the crowd watching in stunned silence to see what was occurring on the field. Even though both teams stood in silence, wondering what had just happened. He was later diagnosed with the highest grade of concussion possible and will be out from two weeks to the entire season.
When a play like that occurs, it reminds us that football, no matter how many players may eat, sleep and breathe it, is only a game. Injuries like this make you realize that playing the sport is a privilege, and should be handled as such, because your season can be snatched away from you with the simiple snap of fingers.
As the second half resumed with Souhegan leading 28-3, the Sabers had half their mind on football and half on their teammate in the hospital. The rest of the game played out much like the first half had, with Souhegan punching in some quick scores on the ground, backed by impressive defensive play, to win the game 41-17. It was a solid, but not perfect game for the Sabers, who will face an impressive Con-Val team Saturday. The Cougars are definitely a playoff-caliber team and will look to take a chip out of undefeated Souhegan. It will be a must-see matchup this weekend,though no matter how big the contest, it's still just a sport.
