SPOKANE -- High school coaches and trainers say they have seen more concussion-related injuries on the football field this year, but they're not sure why.
Most times those concussions go away, but sometimes they can be fatal.
It's called second impact syndrome -- getting another concussion before the first one has worn off.
It can cause dramatic brain swelling that could be fatal.
Four high school athletes in Washington have been hospitalized for concussions and head injuries this season. Two were from the
Inland Northwest. Drew Swank, a junior at Valley Christian High School, died of his injuries. Colville's Austin Pete is still hospitalized.
Gonzaga Prep Football Coach David McKenna says it's the injuries he doesn't know about that worry him the most.
"We had a player go down last week," recalls McKenna.
"Athletes lie about concussions," says certified athletic trainer Keith Eggleston.
Eggleston says when that happens, and an athlete is not fully recovered, it could lead to second impact syndrome if they get hit again.
It's Washington State law that athletes have to be symptom-free before they can go back into a game.
But both Egglestom and McKenna say many high school athletes feel pressure to get back in the game too soon.
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