McKinley lineman bruises spine

Advertiser Staff

McKinley offensive lineman Brandon Tatupu is expected to fully recover from a scary spinal injury suffered during the Tigers' 26-22 loss to Castle on Saturday.

McKinley coach David Tanuvasa said X-rays taken Saturday night turned out negative, and Tatupu regained feeling after experiencing numbness Saturday.

Tatupu was one of several players injured on Mike Vasconcellos' 1-yard touchdown run with 11:56 remaining in the game. Unlike the other injured players, however, Tatupu remained motionless on the turf for over 25 minutes. He was placed on a stretcher and taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Tanuvasa said Tatupu experienced numbness on the left side but regained some feeling later that night and the injury turned out to be a bruised spine.

George OK, too: St. Louis quarterback Bobby George was out last week with a sprained ankle but was expected back at practice yesterday, Crusaders coach Delbert Tengan said.

George was injured in the fourth quarter of St. Louis' 41-20 loss to Kamehameha Sept. 27. He left the game and did not return.