Father Lopez player expected to recover from severe head trauma

Posted Sep 26, 2010 by Katherine Smith

Updated Sep 26, 2010 at 12:56 PM

Daytona Beach Father Lopez running back Erik Hatch remains at Tampa General Hospital after emergency surgery to relieve brain swelling and blood on his brain following a hard hit during a game against Seffner Christian Friday night.

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports that Hatch underwent two hours of surgery after he was airlifted from Plant City High School, where the game was played. The News-Journal quotes Hatch’s father Randy who said his son’s CT scans of his head, neck and spine are clear and he should remain in intensive care for three days before he is moved to a private room. You can read the News-Journal story here.

The Tampa Tribune originally reported Hatch’s injury, which occurred in the fourth quarter of the Green Wave’s victory against Seffner Christian. Hatch came off the field on his own after a hard helmet-to-helmet hit, but lost consciousness when he reached the sideline. Trainers and emergency personnel immediately began working on Hatch, while the game was stopped.