A high school football player in Western Kansas passed away Wednesday morning after suffering a brain injury in Tuesday’s playoff game.
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At Wallace County High School, he was a standout, three-year trumpet player in the school band, sang in choir ensembles and was preparing to be the lead vocalist in an upcoming school play.
Luke’s father, David Schemm, said his son never regained consciousness. “We have come to terms that Luke, our lovely gift from God, is no longer with us”.
He says the Wallace County High School senior had just scored the point after a touchdown and ran to the sidelines, where he collapsed.
Luke was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, then flown to Englewood on Tuesday night.
The teen was taken off life support Wednesday evening, after the news conference. “But as far as why, I haven’t had time to track that down”.
“Just as Luke always stood behind his friends and family, today his friends and family stand behind him”, said David. He was surrounded by members of the Wallace County football team.
Kansas State High School Activities Association executive director Gary Musselman says officials didn’t see Schemm sustain any head contact during the game.
His father David (pictured right with Luke and their family) flew from Kansas to Coloardo to be at his son’s bedside.
He said his son was humble and lived life with a passion he wanted to see his teammates continue as Wallace County advances in the Eight-Man II State football playoffs.
“I told the (Wallace County High School football) coach, ‘I don’t care if you win or lose, I want these boys and I want these kids to lay it all out there on that field”.
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Since July, 11 high school football players have died in football injuries either as a direct result of trauma or because of contributing health issues, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research.
