BREAKING BACK: Lebanon’s senior leader returns after 8 weeks on the shelf

LEBANON, Va.

Lucas Smith remembers the play.

He also remembers the pain.

The scene was Bullitt Field in Big Stone Gap. The date was Sept. 4.

“Our defensive end [Jerome Cobb] was making a tackle against Powell Valley,“ Smith said. “Jerome kind of slid down to the ground, and I hit him. My legs buckled.“

Smith described the crunching sound as “nasty.“ The sight was just as gruesome.

As the Lebanon High School senior held his leg in agony, he was overcame was a flood of emotions.

“I was mad and scared, kicking and screaming,“ Smith said. “I had never broken anything.“

Over the next few seconds, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Smith began to fear that a summer jammed with weightlifting, running, camps and workouts was wasted on the first play of the season’s second game.

“There was some pain, but my mental state was worse,“ Smith said. “It was my senior year, and I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to come back to help my team.“

While the Lebanon players and fans celebrated a 27-7 win over Powell Valley, Smith and his family dealt with a nightmare familiar to many athletes. The prognosis was a broken fibula along with second-degree dislocated tibia in the left leg.

In layman’s terms, Smith’s leg was broken. His season appeared over.

“I was in the hospital at Big Stone Gap for three hours, then my dad drove me to Kingsport,“ Smith said. “I underwent surgery Saturday morning at 7, and was back home that afternoon.“

Smith was left with two options. He could allow his mangled leg to gradually mend until the start of basketball practice in mid-November, or he could begin a grueling rehabilitation process.

“I talked it over with my parents,“ Smith said. “I’m glad that I made the decision I did.“

After being homebound for a week, Smith paid a visit to Lebanon physical trainer, Greg Cornforth. For at least three hours four days a week, Smith followed a regimen of stretching, swimming and treadmill work.

“It was no fun at all,“ Smith said. “But I figured someone had to go through it, why not me. Things could always be worse.“

There were rough spots. For example, Smith said he was miserable as he listened to his Pioneer teammates drop a 14-7 decision at Tazewell on Sept. 11.

“Yeah, the fact that we lost the game made things that much worse,“ Smith said.

Smith watched the next two games from the pressbox at Lebanon.

Being away from his friends added to the emotional toll, but Smith found comfort and motivation from his older brother. A former Lebanon football player, Colby Smith, is currently enrolled in the physical therapy program at Concord University in Athens, W.Va.

“Colby knew exactly what happened to me and he knew what I had to go through to make it back,“ Smith said. “My brother motivated me.“

Veteran Lebanon head football John Adams coach knew that Smith was rugged. However, Adams figured the prep career was over for his team leader and small college prospect.

“Usually that sort of injury means your season is over,“ Adams said. “I’ve never had a player come back from this type of injury so fast. We were just worried about Lucas just making it back for basketball.“

Midway through the season, Smith began to see the light through the sweat and pain. His mobility returned and his spirits soared.

“I got real frustrated at the beginning, then I was able to get more active,“ Smith said. “I went through my rehab each afternoon and watched film at night. I guess you could say I worked overtime.“

To the delight of Lebanon fans, Smith was rewarded Nov. 16 when he was cleared to resume practice.

“That was awesome news, it was one of the happiest moments of my life,“ Smith said.

Then came another dark day. The nightmare sequence unfolded in the second quarter of last week’s playoff game against J.J. Kelly.

“I got cut-blocked and sprained the MCL [medial collateral ligament] on my right leg,“ Smith said. “That was tough to deal with.“

The MCL is one of four ligaments that acts to stabilize the knee joint.

Smith has spent more time with physical therapist the past two days. But, after coming this far, Smith is determined not to miss Saturday’s Region D, Division 2 title game against Gate City.

“Even if I’m only 80 percent, I will be back Saturday,“ Smith said. “I really want to play.“

Adams said the Pioneers feed off the tenacity of their big senior leader.

“The kids love Lucas and they want to follow him,“ Adams said. “He’s the best blocker I’ve got, and he deserves a lot of credit for making it back. Even if Lucas can’t be at full strength Saturday, having him at 75 percent is pretty good.“

In retrospect, Smith said he learned much about himself during his season of torment.

“An experience like this tests you, but it makes you stronger in the end,“ Smith said. “I worked out twice a day all summer getting ready for the season. It just took one hit to change everything.

“I pretty much knew my leg was broken right after it happened. It hasn’t been an easy experience but I think I’ve handled it pretty well. Now, I just want to get back on the field.“