Beckman QB recovering after scary hit

Dyersville Beckman quarterback Connor Golden was recuperating Tuesday after suffering an injury during the Blazers' 34-21 loss to second-ranked North Fayette in a Class 2A state quarterfinal Monday night at Beckman High School.

Golden was hit as he attempted to deliver a pass in the final minute of the third quarter. The 6-foot junior remained on the ground after the play concluded and was assisted by medical staff. The game was delayed for more than 20 minutes as medical personnel immobilized him and carted him off the field on a stretcher.

Tuesday morning he was at home recovering after undergoing tests at a hospital the previous night. Golden said he isn't seriously injured.

"I went through X-rays and CAT scans," Golden said in a telephone interview Tuesday morning. "I had a concussion and I have a history of back problems and dinged it up a little bit. Nothing serious."

Everyone used caution as they tried to determine the severity of the situation, especially when he showed a weakened grip. Beckman Coach Gregg Hammann said that may be attributed to Golden being dazed.

"He took a shot to the head," Hammann said after the game. "He was groggy and said he had some soreness in his neck."

 Hammann said he thought Golden took an unintentional helmet-to-helmet hit from a rushing defender. Golden said he was dazed and his recollection of the play and the following minutes are sketchy.

"I just remember seeing the guy come from the front and all I remember is talking to the trainers and the doctor," said Golden, who left the game in the second quarter after re-aggravating his back injury but returned after halftime. "They don't think I was knocked unconscious but I was definitely in and out of it."

Golden threw for 116 yards and a touchdown in the game, leaving with 34.9 seconds remaining in the third. He helped lead Beckman to a 9-3 record this season, highlighted by the school's second state quarterfinal appearance. It was also the first time the Blazers won two playoff games in the same season. Beckman also beat Waterloo Columbus and Clarion-Goldfield.

Golden was the leading passer in 2A, entering the game against the Hawks. He finished the season with more than 2,070 yards and 12 touchdowns.