Injuries contribute to Cougar defeat

Friday, Sept. 2, was not the season start the Cougars hoped for, as the opener ended in injury and defeat.

The Ada Cougars battled the Ardmore Tigers in the Ada v. Ardmore Kickoff Classic, with a devastating loss 40-7, but the scoreboard was not the only sign of Cougar devastation.

Ada Cougar running-back, Reed Townsend, went down in the first minute of the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He was taken by stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Much to the Cougars’ dismay, Townsend actually suffered a fibula break near his ankle.

“My initial thought was that I broke my leg in half because I could see it sticking out,” said Townsend.

Townsend was initially heartbroken, believing he would be out the rest of the season. However, his outlook improved upon hearing the news that he would be able to return in six to eight weeks, just in time for playoffs.

Townsend was not the only Ada Cougar injured in “The Battle of the Cats.” Teammate and Cougar running-back, Jayson Ellis, went down with what appeared to be a neck injury late in the fourth quarter.  The crowd watched anxiously as Ellis lay motionless on the field, tended to by team trainers and coaching staff.

Fortunately, Ellis did not suffer an neck injury as originally believed.  He did, however, suffer a concussion, warranting a hospital visit.

“I assisted in a tackle and as we went down I hit my head on the ground and I don’t remember much after that. I just know it was hard to see,” said Ellis.

Both Townsend’s broken leg and Ellis’ concussion, undoubtedly contributed to the Cougars demise at the hands of rival team, the Ardmore Tigers.

“Townsend’s injury early in the game was difficult and Reed is very dedicated and put a lot of time and effort and is a great football player, he’ll be missed. Jayson Ellis’ neck injury at the end of the game was definitely a scary one. Every time you see a neck injury it is alarming for everyone. The tests came back negative and he came to visit us in practice the next day. We were happy it was nothing serious there; however, having the blow in the Ardmore game being his second concussion in a short period of time he is probably gonna be out quite a while and hopefully we’ll have him back,” said Coach Lemming.