GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. ? Less than a week from their first scrimmage, the Southwest Guilford Cowboys are practicing hard to play tough. But they know in football, some hits can hurt.
Running back Larry Edwards knows several players who have sat out of practice or a game because of a concussion .
?It?s a violent game so it?s gonna happen. What you have to do is just take the steps and be safe about it. Don?t risk your health,? said Edwards.
Edwards admits it?s hard for a player to confess when it?s time to step out of a game.
?Players don?t want to come out the game, obviously. They want to play so they?ll try to tell coach they?re alright and can get back in the game. Sometimes it?s not that serious, sometimes it is,? said Edwards.
Head Coach Scott Schwarzer says he?s not taking any chances with injuries this season.
?Any type of head ailment ? we immediately get him out, and he sees our trainer. There?s a process for them coming back, a release form from the doctor,? said Scharzer.
That process is all part of North Carolina?s Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act, named in part for Reynolds High Schooler Matt Gfeller. He died after a football head injury sustained during a game in August, 2009.
Matt?s mother Lisa Gfeller said she?s thrilled to hear local high schools are taking the new law so seriously.
?It makes me feel as though Matt?s spirit is living on. That people aren?t just learning more about concussions, but that he?s actually helping prevent them in the first place,? said Gfeller.
For four years, the Gfellers have been pushing hard for the law. It was signed into effect on June 16, 2011.
There are three major components, education, emergency action and clearance to return to play.
School athletic programs must provide information to athletes and parents annually about concussions.
Coaches are required to develop and submit emergency action plans in case of a head injury.
Schools are also required to remove an athlete from a game if a concussion is suspected, and the player must be cleared by a medical profession before he or she returns to practice or games.
Gfeller hopes school budgets will make room for certified athletic trainers to be on hand as much as possible at sporting activities.
?We?ve been successful raising awareness for better tackling techniques and spotting the signs of a concussion. Now we?re working on getting medical trainers into every school,? said Gfellar.
Coach Schwarzer wants to make sure his team is kept safe as well.
?These kids are gonna do great things in their lives and that?s what?s more important. There?s a lot of games to play. We?re taking every precaution to make sure the players are healthy,? said Schwarzer.
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