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| Injury report: Hayward, Burchette
out |
Jennifer Brannock
Staff Writer |
Paul Sherar | The Appalachian |
Appalachian
State University’s football team is no stranger to pain, as
they look to begin the 2002 season with a laundry list of injuries
depriving them of many key starters.
The most notable injury loss is that of starting
quarterback Joe Burchette. Burchette has already missed the season
opener versus Marshall University and will continue to be a spectator
for at least two more weeks. |
Burchette
suffers from a long-time chronic back injury, on which he had surgery
last week. Coaches and trainers remain optimistic Burchette will
be in top condition in time for the conference opener against The
Citadel, if not sooner.
“We’re optimistic that we’re going to get [Burchette]
back,” said Mountaineer head coach Jerry Moore. “This
is a surgery this doctor has done a number of times. It is not going
to be a season without him.”
The surgery consisted of a small, knuckle-sized incision and required
no stitches. Burchette has already begun his recovery and looks
forward to rejoining his team on the field, said Moore.
Also a concern for the Mountaineers is the season-long sidelining
of wide receiver junior Sterling Hayward. The Sports Network rated
Hayward as the No. 20 receiver in the nation, and he is the go-to
receiver for the Mountaineers.
Hayward will spend this season in recovery after a separated shoulder
injury from last spring refused to heal properly.
“Hayward is lifting again, but we’re not looking to play
him,” said head strength coach Tommy Hoke. “Right now
he is going through modified workouts, but he has a full range of
motion.”
Also on the injury list is junior offensive lineman Michael Porter.
Porter played in 12 games last season and is adapting back to the
offensive line after a stint at tight end last season.
Porter is suffering from an ankle injury and is currently undergoing
rehabilitation. Team trainer Jim Shorten is unsure as to when Porter
will play but feels confident that he will enjoy game time this
season.
Other players are harboring minor injuries but feel they will be
able to play in next week’s game against Eastern Kentucky.
Sophomore defensive back Jonathan Lyles will play in next week’s
game, despite a sprained ankle that has been bothering him. Lyles
started in 11 of 12 games last season and is the team’s top
cornerback this fall.
Also playing with an injury will be tight end senior Jason LeMay,
who will play in a leg brace due to a torn ligament. LeMay spent
last spring recovering from shoulder surgery but looks to be starting
healthy this fall.
Shorten is confident the team’s injuries will not be a factor
in their success this season.
“The team’s in great shape physically,” said Shorten.
“If we don’t let little things turn into big things, we’ll
be in good shape.”
Keeping the team healthy will be a top priority for the training
and coaching staff, who reason that healthy players are successful
players.
“You always want to keep your team healthy,” said Shorten.
“We don’t want injuries to nag us all season like they
have the potential to. If we can get them healthy and keep them
healthy, it will be smooth sailing.” |
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