HIGH SCHOOL

Blackman's Sam Luker ready to return to field

Tom Kreager
tkreager@dnj.com

MURFREESBORO – Sam Luker received medical clearance to begin playing football two weeks ago.

On Friday, the Blackman linebacker hopes to return to the football field at The Inferno, 89 days after his season nearly ended in a violent collision with Oakland fullback Dexter Hurd on national television.

Luker's facemask left an indent in Hurd's facemask. The injury left a 10 percent compression fracture in the sixth or seventh thoracic vertebrae in his back. And concussion-like symptons soon followed leaving his return to the field this season doubtful.

Coach Philip Shadowens said he was cautious with his junior athlete. The first couple of days since doctors cleared him Shadowens kept Luker out of any serious contact before finally getting him in for contact drills.

Doctors had told Luker that he was healthier than most football players. But Shadowens wanted to see for himself.

"I wanted to make sure he was comfortable putting his face in, and all of that," Shadowens said. "We did a tackle drill last week and he didn't know I was watching. I saw him put his face in on a tackle, and I started yelling and screaming and jumping up and down.

"I made a big deal about it. He had no hesitation. That kind of got him over the hump. He just has to get used to the contact again. It's been a long time since he's had that."

His father Steve Luker, the principal of David Youree Elementary in Smyrna, said it's been a slow process to get him to this point where he can be on the practice field.

"What we've been trying to do, well, what (Shadowens) has been trying to do, is get him used to practicing again," he said. "I don't know how much he'll actually play with them playing the level of football they play during this time of the season, but he's excited."

And now Sam Luker waits to see what impact he can be on the field. It could be on special teams. Or it could be in a few defensive snaps.

His presence on the field will add an emotional boost to his team, who saw him lay motionless on the ground after the hit on national television. They then saw him loaded on a stretcher.

Now, three months later, he's back on the field.

"I'm excited to be back on the field," Luker said. "I'm ready to be back in action. Standing on the sidelines for 10 weeks or so kind of stinks, especially when it gets cold."

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.