Highland player airlifted to LR

Highland junior defensive back Brandon Dennis was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock late Friday night after suffering a head injury during the Rebels’ 3-4A Conference game against Cave City in Hardy.

Dennis returned an interception 49 yards to the Cave City 1 in the third quarter and was tackled to the ground. He went to the sideline, then was unresponsive, Highland Coach Adam Carter told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Saturday.

Carter said Dennis first was taken to White River Medical Complex in Cherokee Village, then was airlifted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Dennis had bleeding on his brain Friday night, but the swelling went down Saturday.

Dennis, who had 11 tackles entering Friday’s game for Highland, will be hospitalized for three to four days, then is expected to return home, Carter said.

The game, which was under the Arkansas Activities Association’s sportsmanship rule at the time of Dennis’ injury, was called with Highland winning 54-14 late in the third quarter. Both Carter and Cave City Coach Danny Brustrom agreed to end the game after the injury.

Dennis is a three-sport athlete at Highland who also plays basketball and participates in track and field.

Also in the game, Cave City junior offensive/ defensive lineman Mike Rhoades broke his right ankle in the first half, Brustrom told the Democrat-Gazette. He will visit an orthopedic surgeon Monday, Brustrom said.