Sixteen-year-old Isaiah Turner is on a journey of healing.

He returned to Annandale High School two days ago, walking from class to class with the aid of a pair of crutches.

“I’m pretty good, my legs are getting a lot more mobile,” he says. “It’s pretty nice to see all my friends here and just be around people. I haven’t been since the accident.”

During an Oct. 11 game, Isaiah, a running back for the Annandale Cardinals football team, he suffered a major leg injury when approached.

“It was a running play, and he got hit and he was down for a little bit. I saw him lying on the ground,” recalled quarterback Michael Kovall.

“It was pretty crazy and it was scary because I’ve never seen anything like it. It was so serious. I had no idea at the time.”

At first, it appeared to be a relatively minor injury.

But soon after, Isaiah’s right leg began to swell, and the condition was later diagnosed as compartment syndrome, a painful condition caused by pressure from internal bleeding.

The injury required six surgeries over 12 days to remove the damaged muscle tissue.

Matt Walter, the team’s head coach, says he’s never seen an injury like this in the 25 years he’s coached Cardinals football.

“I didn’t think you could ever get injured like that in football,” he notes. “I thought it was more of a car accident.”

Isaiah spent six weeks at CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital.

At the barbecue he had learned about teamwork and being part of a group.

But now, he’s learning new lessons about the power of friendship and healing.

The community rallied around Isaiah and his family with a crowdfunding effort and frequent hospital visits.

“I don’t think a night goes by that we don’t have football players, moms, teachers, principal,” says Joy Turner, Isaiah’s mother and the school’s dean of students. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And so, we were just grateful for the support.”

She says the players on the team made sure Isaiah was always up to date with their activities.

“Every night they would tell him what happened at practice and go through different plays and things,” Joy Turner says. “He felt very much like a part of the team.”

The 16-year-old attended practices and games along with riding the team bus.

“He was standing outside our stadium,” explains Walter. “All of our players had to run up to him and give him a hug and give him a hug and that was just a great day, a special day for our kids and I know it was a big deal for him. “

Isaiah now undergoes physical therapy once a week – strength training and stretching.

“The goal is obviously to get to walking without a limp and then move into the running part,” says Joy Turner. “He’s excited to get ready for the fall football season.”

As for himself, Isaiah says he takes each day at a time.

Determined to play again and get to the goal line on and off the field.

“The thing I take away the most is to never give up, like never give up on your dreams and keep going,” he states. “Stay strong and have a strong mind, get through things that get tough.”