BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
In the final stages of a critical 28-20 home loss to Sharyland Pioneer in Week 7, Rio Grande City players, coaches and fans took a collective deep breath as senior wideout Aaron Garza took a hit and stayed down on the field.
“He was running a crossing route and he got hit by two (Pioneer) guys,” Rio Grande City coach Aaron Garcia said. “It just so happened that all three helmets came together at the same time. They were coming in at full speed.”
According to a Facebook post Saturday from Aaron’s aunt, Alicia, Garza “lost consciousness” and was flown to McAllen Medical Center late Friday night. Garza regained consciousness shortly thereafter and was released from the hospital early Saturday morning.
“I’m glad to say that he’s OK,” Garcia said. “We’re treating this like a concussion, but he doesn’t really have one. His concussion test results came back negative.”
Garza is best described as a possession receiver for the Rattlers (5-2). His 20 receptions are good for second best on a team that features six players with 10 or more catches.
“He’ll be out for maybe a week or two for precautionary reasons,” Garcia said.
The Rattlers were also without the services of starting senior middle linebacker Jeremy Gorena last week. Gorena went through the concussion protocol. His results came back negative, as well.
Garcia said Gorena returned to practice on Tuesday and will be in uniform at Laredo Nixon on Friday night.