Priest River football player suffers severe head injury

PRIEST RIVER - A student from Priest River Lamanna High School had to be life-flighted to Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane after suffering a severe head injury during Friday night's football game.

Bobby Clark, a senior at PRLHS, reportedly underwent successful surgery early Saturday morning and is listed in critical condition after being placed in a medically induced coma.

In a Facebook post only hours after the incident, Bobby's sister Tabitha wrote, "Bobby's gonna be OK! Big concussion. In good hands at the Sacred Heart hospital."

Just after midnight she wrote, "just got out of surgery, not sure how the recovery deal is gonna work out. might be in the hospital for 2 weeks ... might have to induce a coma so he can rest."

In her final post she wrote, " Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, keep praying we need it. Bobby is doing fine now. He's gonna be OK."

Clark came off the field just before the end of the first half before collapsing on the sideline with what was originally being called a severe concussion.

Unclear of the exact cause, West Bonner County School District Superintendent Mike McGuire said that film from the game had been reviewed and that, "there was no big hit on the play" and that "they couldn't pinpoint exactly when the injury happened."

He also noted that students have came forward since to say that Clark, "had mentioned to others during the week that he was getting headaches."

No mention of the headaches were said to be reported to the football coaches.

Nine concussions have occurred at PRLHS since the beginning of the school year, according to PRLHS Athletic Director Brandi Johnson, who added that the total is near the same as years past but "there is a heightened awareness toward head injuries by the student athletes, coaches and parents this year."

Two Priest River players suffered head injuries during Friday nights' league-opening loss to Timberlake and three concussions the night before in the junior varsity game at Timberlake High School.

The initials B.C. will be displayed on all Priest River football helmets at this Friday night's home game and the students have reportedly started numerous prayer and support groups.

A.J.'s Cafe in downtown Priest River has also stepped-up in support and on every Friday in October all of owner Wendy Malnar's tips will go toward the Clark family. The cafe will also match the amount raised in tips.