Senior All-Region 1-AAAA running back Aaron Hall, the Bainbridge Bearcats’ leading returning rusher from last season, suffered a knee injury in practice this week.

While the injury is serious, it is not as bad as it could have been. Hall talked about the injury Friday morning as he stood on crutches in the Bearcats’ training room.

“In did not tear my ACL ligament, which could have kept me out for a long time,” he said. “Instead, I cracked a bone in my knee and I hope to be back in about three weeks.

“The injury happened when I got hit on my knee while running around the left side.”

It was the second serious injury the Bearcats have suffered during early practice sessions. During a July 28 passing camp at the Bearcats’ practice field, junior cornerback and wide receiver Cameron McDowell came down awkwardly after going up to defend a pass, and dislocated his ankle. He could be out for more than a month.

Bainbridge coach Ed Pilcher praised McDowell and Hall for their great character and work ethic.

“Aaron and Cameron are both fine young men who worked hard in practice every day and now they are working hard on their rehabilitation,” he said.

Pilcher said he has been pleased with his team’s early workouts, overall.

“The heat has been a real factor,” he said. “The coaches and our fine certified athletic trainer Chris Summers keep close tabs on the players and give them frequent water breaks.”

The Bearcats will host Americus-Sumter County in a preseason scrimmage next Friday, Aug. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Field. Admission will be $5.

Bainbridge’s regular season opener against Early County will be a week later, Friday, Aug. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Field.

Joe Crine can be reached by e-mail at joe.crine@thepostsearchlight.com, or by telephone at (229) 246-2827, Ext. 116.