BY MATT LINDSEYNorth Country This Week

A Franklin Academy lacrosse player who suffered a concussion after an Ogdensburg player struck him in the head with his stick plans to keep playing.

A video from NFHS Network on April 20 shows a routine scuffle for the ball, followed by an Ogdensburg Free Academy player swinging his stick directly at the head and neck of 10th grade student Landyn Pierson. Pierson immediately fell to the ground in pain and the OFA player threw his stick to the ground in apparent frustration.

Landyn was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital and diagnosed with a concussion, according to his mother Bethany Berkman-Pierson.

Berkman-Pierson and her family have sought legal counsel and filed charges with the Malone Police Department on April 22.

She said they took statements, photos and medical records. Ultimately the matter will be turned over to juvenile courts due to the age of the OFA player.

The game, which was being played at Crowner Field in Malone, was a normal contest up until the violent incident.

“OFA was winning … he (OFA player) retaliated for losing the ball,” Berman-Pierson said.

She thinks a ban from all Section 10 sports is the right punishment for the OFA player.

“An apology goes a long way,” the mother said.

But so far she said she has not heard anything from the player or his family.

However, she heard from OFA Superintendent Kevin Kendall, who apologized and said he was taking the situation very seriously.

Road to Recovery

Landyn is still hopeful to play again once medically cleared.

He has been in contact with the district superintendent and athletic director, who have been checking on his well-being.

A CT scan did not show any neck damage, but future tests are possible to ensure no long-term damage.

In order to play again Landyn will need to pass medical protocols.

Franklin Academy and OFA are not scheduled to meet again during the regular season.

Should they be matched up somehow in the playoffs, Berkman-Pierson is not sure if she would allow her son to play against OFA. Especially if the player who struck her son is still allowed to play.

Landyn, playing in his third year, is not letting the incident impact his desire to continue lacrosse. 

“Lacrosse is more than a game, it’s about friendship and families,” he said.

“He doesn’t want other kids to be scared of playing because of what happened,” his mother said.

School, Section X Responding

For now, OFA is remaining quiet about the actions of their player.

“The district is following its protocols and procedures as required by our Code of Conduct, said Kendall. “I cannot comment any further on this matter.”

Section 10 held a meeting to discuss the matter on Friday, but Berkman-Pierson had not yet heard the results of the meeting.

Section X Athletic Director Mark Wilson emailed North Country This Week a statement on the incident.

“Section X recognizes the seriousness of this incident and has a process for dealing with such matters, which may include a Section X Sportsmanship Committee review,” he said. “The school district has its own, separate process, which it is following. The Section cannot comment further at this time.”