Hildebrand escapes serious injury in sideline incident Friday night

MADISON-  Senior Bob Jones cheerleader Karla Hildebrand loves football but she got more than she wanted Friday night in Bob Jones 21-0 win over Grissom. Fortunately, she avoided serious injury and escaped with only a bruised knee.

It all started in the waning moments of the first half as Grissom was driving toward the north end zone. Running back Lemuel Dantzler took a pitch and headed right but reversed his field and headed at top speed toward the Bob Jones bench with three defenders pursuing him. They all crashed into the sideline at full speed. The narrow sideline was crowded with members of both bands and the Bob Jones cheerleaders not in formation and most with their backs to the field.

Three cheerleaders went down. Two got up quickly but one stayed down and the game was halted for 10 minutes.

Hildebrand was the one that took the worst hit in the legs.

Paramedics and trainers quickly went to her side and calmed her down.

Many feared the worst. Incidents of coaches and sideline personnel suffering broken legs from players sweeping into the sideline instantly came to mind.

Joe Paterno suffered a broken leg and knee damage in a sideline accident in 2006 that he never fully recovered from.

It was determined that Hildebrand did not suffer any broken bones and she was moved to the training table where a steady stream of teachers, players, her parents, and her brother stayed with her and cheered her up.

She stayed for the game and left the field afterwards under her own power with a bruised kneecap.

Hildebrand was leading the cheers for the cheerleaders before the incident with fellow senior Kassidy Locke serving on homecoming court.

Cheer sponsor Michelle Cleveland said she saw it coming.

“I tried to get them back and out of the way but it all happened so fast.”

Whether Hildebrand will be able to perform in upcoming competitions has not been determined but she is counting her blessings to have avoided serious injury.