Wash. high school team delays game after death

Valley Christian School postponed its football game this week after one of its players died following a blow to the head in a Friday night game.

Andrew Swank, 17, died late Sunday following a head injury suffered when he was blocked and hit the ground during an eight-man football game on the field of defending state champion LaCrosse-Washtucna on Friday.

"He was just a great kid," said coach Jim Puryear, who, with his assistant Mike Heden, traveled to Kahlotus, Wash., to console the opposing player who delivered the block. "It was a fluke thing."

He said they wanted the opposing player to know it was "nobody's fault," Puryear said.

The Panthers have postponed this week's scheduled game against St. John-Endicott. Players met Monday afternoon to discuss the future of their season, athletic director Chad Kimberley said.

"We'll not make anyone do what they don't want to do," Puryear said. "If they want to go on we'll keep coaching."

Players wore their jerseys to school Monday, and a small memorial had been set up in the foyer.

Coaches said the fatal play came near the end of the first half, close to their sideline. Swank was blocked and fell awkwardly, his head whipping back and striking the ground.

He was taken first to Ritzville, then airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, where he underwent surgery to alleviate bleeding and swelling.

Don and Patti Swank, of Hauser Lake, said in a statement that they'll donate their son's organs "so others' lives can be saved."

Andrew Swank is also survived by four sisters and three brothers.

Valley Christian fielded its first football team in 2007. Swank, then a freshman, was on the initial roster. He played wing back on offense and defensive back.

Valley Christian dropped to eight-man football this year and was playing its third game of the season. LaCrosse-Washtucna coach Jeff Nelson, whose team has won five state B-8 titles in the past seven years, expressed his sorrow over the death.

"Right now my concern is for their family, their school and my kids," he said.

This spring, state lawmakers imposed new regulations on youth football programs. The act requires adoption of policies for the management of concussion and head injuries and liability insurance for schools and youth organizations.

Puryear said he completed the first clinic coaches are required to take educating them on the issue. He said Valley Christian spent extra money for quality helmets.

According to past research by The Seattle Times, Swank is the 12th high school player in the state to die of a football injury since 1936. The most recent was Seatac player DeShawn Smith five years ago.

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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com