The Cherry Creek Bruins are down a football player before a single snap.
Running back Seamus Henderson is out for the season after tearing his ACL during a non-contact drill at practice Tuesday, Cherry Creek coach Dave Logan confirmed.
“We’re devastated for Seamus and for the team,” Logan said. “He had worked so hard in the offseason, I hate to see something like this happen.”
The senior was a driving force in the Bruins’ run to the Class 5A state championship game last season, putting up 100-yard rushing performances against Ralston Valley and Columbine in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.
He was set to be the lead back for the No. 2 team in CHSAA’s preseason rankings and had recently received an offer to play for Colorado School of Mines.
“I thought he was one of the best backs in the playoffs,” Logan said. “He’s a really dynamic player.”
Cherry Creek School District risk management and maintenance officials inspected the field following Henderson’s injury, consulting a checklist from the Foundation for Safe Athletic Fields, district communications coordinator Anna Dolan said. The field was deemed to be safe by those inspectors.
“Anytime anyone raises a concern… we take those concerns very seriously,” Dolan said. “It’s absolutely our highest priority those kids have a safe place to play.”
When asked if he thought Cherry Creek’s field was safe, Coach Logan declined to comment.
Last year, Eaglecrest coach Dustin Delaney resigned one game into the season, citing unsafe conditions for players among his reasons for leaving. Eaglecrest is also a member of the Cherry Creek School District.
Dolan said the district regularly inspects all of its fields — including the field at Cherry Creek High School.
“Safety and well-being is always top priority,” she said.
