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HAMILTON — Injuries have been a big part of football ever since the game was invented more than 100 years ago.

But the injury Badin High School's Alex Rieman suffered has been considered a first by everyone from local coaches to doctors.

It happened last year when Rieman, then a freshman, was returning a kickoff in a junior varsity game. He took a blind-sided, helmet-to-helmet hit that left him with a fractured skull.

"I remember it vaguely," said Rieman, who is fully recovered and starting for the Badin varsity team this fall.

"I remember being in the hospital for six hours, and I remember when they finally told me what it was," Rieman continued. "I was preparing for a concussion, but when they told me it was a cracked skull, I was shocked."

Remarkably, Rieman returned to action six weeks later, with his mom Patty watching with white-knuckle dread.

"She didn't like me playing football in the first place," said Rieman, who only stands 5-foot-8 and weighs just 156 pounds. "She's always scared to death up there, so she was a nervous wreck after that."

But Rieman's father Darin, who was one of the greatest athletes to come through Badin, put full faith in the doctors who had medically cleared Alex to resume playing.

"My dad and I both worked on her pretty good," Alex said.

Since returning, Alex hasn't suffered any more serious injuries, but it's not for a lack of effort by opposing defenses.

He took two big shots in the season-opening loss to Woodward that left Badin coach Dave Wirth in awe.

"Those were both violent, traumatic hits, and I don't know how he got up either time," Wirth said. "If it had been me, I would have been crawling off the field and asking for my mommy.

"I'm not sure I've coached a tougher kid," Wirth added. "That's not a knock on the other kids we've had. But based on his size and the shots he's taken, he's just tough as nails and very resilient."

Rieman went on to catch nine passes for 61 yards against Woodward, and last week against Turpin, he caught five more balls for 108 yards.

His 14 receptions lead all Greater Catholic League players, and his 169 yards rank third.

As for special teams, Rieman has yet to return a kickoff this season. But Wirth said he will be one of four returners who will rotate at that spot tonight against Wyoming.

"I told him to be ready," Wirth said. "I have no doubt he will be."

Mom, on the other hand, might want to plan her visits to the concession stand accordingly.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2193 or jmorrison@coxohio.com.