HIGH SCHOOL

Siegel football player in critical condition

Tom Kreager
tkreager@tennessean.com
Siegel junior Baylor Bramble sustained a serious head injury during Friday night's football game at Warren County.

MURFREESBORO — A Siegel High School football player is in critical condition and in the trauma unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center after being life-flighted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after sustaining a head injury during Friday night’s 44-14 win over Warren County.

Baylor Bramble, a 5-foot-8 junior cornerback, had emergency surgery about 1 a.m. Saturday to relieve pressure on his brain, Siegel football coach Greg Wyant said.

Bramble made his first career start in the Stars' first win of the season against the Pioneers in McMinnville.

“He came off the field in the fourth quarter and told me his head hurt,” Wyant said. “It went downhill from there.”

Wyant said Bramble was sent to the trainer to be examined. He was placed in an ambulance after the game and sent to the McMinnville Municipal Airport where he was flown to Nashville, Wyant said.

Siegel assistant Jason Pitts said he never saw Bramble suffer a blow to the head against the Pioneers. He said he has reviewed the film multiple times but didn't see any questionable contact.

Siegel High sponsored a prayer vigil Saturday afternoon. No members of the media attended the vigil out of respect for the family's request.

The Siegel community has been rocked with heartache this season.

Siegel football player Mason Loupe died in early September after a gunshot to the head. That same week, Siegel Middle football player Caleb Victory sustained a serious head injury that ended up in him going to Atlanta for rehabilitation.

"We will definitely have our counselor team at the school Monday to support students, teachers and administrators," wrote Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans in an email to The Daily News Journal.

Wyant said his focus right now remains with Bramble and his family.

“It’s about Baylor and his family right now,” said Wyant, who stay with the family during the surgery. “I’m not worried about the Siegel community. I’m worried about him and the family. We need to support and pray for them.”

Reach Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Kreager.