Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009

Caleb Critchfield is a force to be reckoned with on the football field. He proved it Friday night after scoring two touchdowns for his team - one at 60 yards.

But there's more to the Moundridge High School senior's story. Early in the game, Critchfield suffered a serious injury that almost went unnoticed.

"I remember taking a shot to the face mask," Critchfield told KAKE News from his hospital bed at Wesley Medical Center on Wednesday. "My chin strap slipped down and pushed against my throat. I remember not being able to breathe or talk."

Critchfield didn't know it at the time, but doctors believe the impact of the tackle put enough pressure on his dislodged chin strap to tear a hole in his esophagus.

Critchfield took a moment to collect himself after the hit, then got back in the game.

"I just got up and fixed my helmet and went back about my business," he said.

Critchfield stayed in the game, ultimately scoring two touchdowns. But as time passed, he says it became harder to keep up.

Critchfield continued having trouble breathing, and drinking water burned his throat.

Then he coughed blood.

"There was this faint to medium red color in it," he said. "I looked and thought, 'what is that?'"

Critchfield told his coaches, who notified his parents in the stand. He was pulled out of the game in the fourth quarter and taken to the hospital. That's where an x-ray showed the truth.

"No parent expects something like this from a football injury," said Caleb's mother, Patty Critchfield. "We're just thankful he's going to be okay."

Doctors in Newton transferred Critchfield to Wesley Medical Center where he spent several hours in the Intensive Care Unit. Critchfield now has his own room and says he is feeling "150% better."

"Determination and will power got me through that game," Critchfield said. "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

Doctors say Critchfield's injury is unique for a football game. Officials say they'd like to study his case and publish his story in a journal of sports medicine.

Critchfield says he just wants to play football again.

"If I had it my way, I'd be out there again for the next game," he said.

Doctors have told Critchfield he'll need about a month to recover, but should be able to take the field again. Critchfield is also nominated for the spot of Homecoming King at this weekend's Moundridge Homecoming. Although he won't be able to attend, he knows his friends are in his corner.

Critchfield hopes to be out of the hospital next week. Until then, he says he's hungry. Critchfield says he'll have to be on a liquid diet until his esophagus finishes healing.