Midview student suffers fractured jaw following assault after varsity football game

Fifty-yard line of a football field (Photo: Patrick Konior/Unsplash)

GRAFTON, Ohio — Midview senior Lucas Hendershot is recovering from an alleged attack after his high school's varsity football game against Berea-Midpark on September 18 that resulted in multiple jaw fractures, according to The Chronicle-Telegraph.

Hendershot is a 4-year golfer at the high school.

"Surgery was a huge success! We are with Lucas now. Lucas and the Hendershot family will bounce back from this stronger than ever," said Jeff Hendershot, father of the victim, in a Facebook post. "We are forever grateful for your love and support."

The Incident

In a report, the incident happened on the field as parents and students greeted the players for pictures and post-game activities, and he was struck from behind. 

A picture surfaced showing the actual assault taking place, and the alleged person was then rushed off the field into an adjacent locker room. 

Concerned about his son's safety, Jeff Hendershot, the victim's father, entered the locker room where he encountered the school's athletic director, Dan May, who informed him that he could face removal for trespassing, as reported by the father.

Midview senior Lucas Hendershot recovering after surgery following assault https://t.co/qTpX9ouuFz

— The Chronicle-Telegram (@YourChronicle) September 22, 2026

According to a report by Lorain County Sheriff's Deputy James Clotz, witnesses detailed seeing the high school senior get punched in the jaw during an altercation on the football field, and that the alleged assault resulted in severe injuries, including multiple jaw fractures, and a juvenile suspect was taken into custody on a second-degree felony charge of felonious assault. 

He was then transported to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention Center, and the case was forwarded to the Lorain County Juvenile Court for review and final disposition. 

The victim was initially transported to University Hospitals St. John Medical Center in Westlake before being transferred to another hospital for treatment. 

Hendershot underwent surgery for his injuries and is recovering; he initially had to wait several days to do the surgery due to the swelling around his injuries, according to his father. 

In a statement from Midview Superintendent Chad Heuser, he stated, "The district is following all policies and procedures to conduct a thorough investigation."