The downside of sports is injury. If you play any sport long enough chances are you will be injured.
There are places a parent can turn to for help.
It's difficult for any parent who watches their son or daughter compete in sports to put the risk of injury completely out of their mind.
When the injuries happen most schools have medically licensed trainers on staff but there are places a parent can go to get a second opinion.
These Friday Night Injury Clinics have the staff and tools to evaluate any injury and help the hurt athlete.
The undefeated Spartans of St. Margaret Mary will play under the Friday night lights in a few years but for now Friday night is practice time.
Coach Mailliard can teach them proper techniques that will make injury less likely but there is always a chance.
For fullback Drew Dunham playing hurt is part of the game.
Drew Dunham says, "I'm bruised up right there so if you get hit you know it hurts but you still have to play especially with our team, we don't have a lot of players."
But there is a difference between pain and injury. That's where the professionals at the Friday Night Injury Clinic step in.
They can evaluate, diagnose and treat most injuries on site.
Dr. Ian Crabb says, "Sometimes the parents bring them in and sometimes the trainer will direct them to the clinic if they have a concern after the game."
Kids with major injuries are taken to the trauma center; the athletes Dr. Crabb sees are intermediate cases but still serious injuries.
For dads like Chris Dunham that is a relief.
Chris Dunham says, "I think it is a great idea because you don't know what is going to happen and if it is something that needs to be looked at it's better to be safe than sorry."
The Friday Night Injury Clinic is located just north of the Oakview Mall.
It's open Friday nights in the fall from 9pm until 11pm.
