Pine Ridge High School senior football player Kaden Boddie is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Saturday, Oct. 25, following a frightening injury sustained during Friday night’s game against Seabreeze.
According to Seabreeze coach Mike Klein, Boddie “went in for a low tackle on (running back) Jeremias George and jammed up his neck,” adding that “it looked like one of those hits with the crown of the head.”
Athletic Trainer Jordan Kennan was the first on the scene and immediately recognized the seriousness of the injury.
“She immediately recognized the need for EMS. EMS was right there immediately. They were on the field,” said Pine Ridge Athletic Director John New, who praised Kennan’s calm and swift response.
Boddie was airlifted from the field to a nearby medical facility, where he was alert and able to move his extremities, offering a collective sense of relief to the Pine Ridge community.
“The atmosphere lightened a little bit after reports from Boddie’s parents came back,” New said.
New, along with head coach Alex Russell, an assistant coach, and Kennan, stayed with the Boddie family at the hospital.
“We wanted to be there for the family. But at the same time, they need rest, he needs rest... once we got him settled in, we all felt comfortable being able to go home and follow up with him tomorrow,” New said.
The game, which Seabreeze led 28–7 when play was stopped, remains incomplete. Officials have not yet determined whether the contest will be finalized or rescheduled. For now, the focus remains on Boddie’s recovery and the teamwork that helped ensure his safety. Read the full story here!