Tree Coming Down To Avoid More Injuries

Coeur d’Alene High School administrators announced they will cut down the stadium’s crab apple tree to prevent any future crab apple wars at football games.

On Sept. 29, a crab apple hit Coeur d’Alene High School varsity player Chris Goodwin after a loss to the school’s rival, Lake City High School.

The impact on Goodwin’s neck caused his carotid artery to collapse and temporarily cease blood flow. Goodwin was sent to the hospital, and was later released.

The lone apple tree is located between the practice field and the stadium. Children often are seen playing with the apples during and after games.

“We’ve had trouble with kids and apple wars in the last couple of football games. We were going to address it at the end of the season,” said coach Tom Bailey. After last month’s incident, action must be taken, said Bailey.

No conclusions have been made as to who threw the apple, but there are several theories. Both schools and police are reviewing tapes of the game looking for the culprit.

Bailey said it’s clear the thrower was not a football player for either school.

CHS varsity player Mike DeMotte said he believes the apple came from the Lake City side of the field. As Lake City fans were rushing to the field to celebrate their victory, Goodwin and DeMotte were standing midfield waiting to shake their opponents’ hands.

“I saw something yellow whiz by my face. I turned to my right and saw Goody holding his neck, and then he fell to the ground. I’m pretty sure it was from the Lake City stand with that kind of angle,” said DeMotte.

There also have been rumors that a middle-school student might have thrown the apple.

They’re just that - rumors - said Goodwin. “Really, it could have been anybody. So I’m not blaming anyone.”

Senior Devin Ennis was with Goodwin at the hospital.

“It sounds like a lot of fans were throwing stuff during the game. It was bad enough we lost. Then I had to see one of my best friends on the ground. I was about ready to hurt someone,” said Ennis.

Throughout the commotion, the players remained calm and did what the coaches asked them to do: Get out of the way.

“Considering the level of intensity, I think our players showed unbelievable reserve. They showed real class,” said assistant coach Richard Clute.

“We didn’t want to start any more trouble. It’s just not worth it. Like coach Amos tells us, `Instead of your mouth, use your pads.’ We’ll just beat them in the next game,” said varsity player Landon Krom.

Some players had a harder time keeping their cool, said varsity player Devon Taylor.

“We were not antagonizing the situation until Chris was hurt. Then we became very emotional and wanted to do something about it. Some of us had to be held back.”

Despite the confusion and high emotions, there were no fights.

“I’m past this now. It was a big thing, but we got over it,” said Krom.

Some students are talking about payback during playoffs, said Goodwin.

“Kids think this has been done against their school, not just me. For some this is defense. But don’t do it. Show them we have better fans. Losing to them with class is better than winning without it.”

To promote better sportsmanship, coaches, parents, students and athlete representatives from CHS and other Border League schools have met to come up with a theme for the sports seasons, said Activities Director Larry Schwenke.

“The theme is to treat everyone with respect and dignity while promoting team spirit. Overall I think we’ve done a great job of that.”

Clute agreed. “We have a lot of respect for the other players. Ninety percent of the time they are our friends.

“We have a great rivalry. Yes, it gets intense, but that’s the beauty of it,” he added. “Something like this just takes away from the whole thing. But when it’s all over, we have great respect for each other.”