After two student deaths, a look at what the rules require on the sideline

A Page High School junior varsity football player died in September after he was injured early in a game against Grimsley, ABC45 and WFMY reported. A few weeks earlier, a Northwest Guilford Middle School student died after a medical emergency at practice, ABC45 reported.

ABC45 reported that the NCHSAA 2026-27 handbook does not require an ambulance at every middle or high school football game. It does require a licensed athletic trainer or a qualified first responder at all football practices and games.

Guilford County EMS sent an ambulance after the Page injury was reported, ABC45 reported, citing dispatch audio.

Questions for school officials: what emergency action plan each stadium uses, how long EMS took to arrive, and whether the district will change its staffing for games. The school board's next regular meeting is Oct. 13.