Chris Bauer had caught five first-half touchdown passes, en route to a Section 9 record, when an unintentional injury ended his game, the season, and the rest of his Cornwall High School football career.
“I had no idea what the record was,” Bauer said. “I was told after the game. It was funny because Mike White’s older brother had set the previous record. He was giving Mike a hard time about it. I really didn’t know. I wasn’t trying to do it. It just happened. I was surprised, but it was definitely a pretty awesome accomplishment.”
After scoring his fifth touchdown, against Saugerties on Oct. 19, Bauer kicked off and went to make a tackle when he was kneed in the ribs by an opposing player. At the time he didn’t know how serious the injury was, but he thought he just had the wind knocked out of him, yet Bauer was unable to catch his breath.
The high school senior was transported to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, but was released and told to visit the Newburgh campus in the morning. There, tests showed two fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. He was transferred to Westchester Medical Center, where he spent eight days with two chest tubes helping him breathe.
“I was very surprised. I didn’t think it was as severe. I just tried to stay positive because it could have been worse. It’s upsetting, but I just have to stay positive and try to give my team some motivation.”
Bauer still attends practices and will continue to go to the games, lending his team moral support from the sidelines.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Bauer began playing football in the second grade, starting in Cornwall’s youth program. He played modified in eighth grade and JV as a freshman. It wasn’t until freshman year that Bauer made the switch from running back to wide receiver. It took a little time to adjust to the new position, but the more he practiced, the more natural the position became. Bauer made varsity his sophomore year.
Along the way, Bauer received advice from his older brother, who also played three years at the varsity level. The elder sibling said varsity football wasn’t easy and required hard work and dedication.
“He told me practices were tough, but reassured me it would be worth it in the end.”
In making the transition from JV to varsity, Bauer learned the pace of the game is faster and more complex.
Bauer doesn’t play any other sports, but he hopes to resume physical activity in the next four to six weeks. Playing college ball could be a possibility.
“There’s a chance. I’m still keeping it in the back of my mind, but it’s not going to decide where I go to school.”
Which school he chooses will determine if he continues playing.
“If I can use football as a vehicle to get me into a school I normally wouldn’t get into, I’d definitely consider it. I feel I had an abrupt ending with this injury, so it might motivate me to work harder and get back on the field.”
If Bauer was to return to the field, he’d be looking to attend Columbia University, but academically, to study finance; he’s eyeing the University of Rhode Island, Wake Forest, University of Maryland, and Elon University.
Aside from football, Bauer is a first-year member of Key Club and has been a Safe School Ambassador since freshman year. He was recruited, by his former JV coach, to join the anti-bullying group and he accepted immediately.
“It’s just nice to try to do the right thing and help people out. It means a lot because I remember when I was a freshman, it was tough transferring from the middle school to the high school. It’s nice to have someone there if you need them.”
