THE GAZETTE
Page B-2
Continued from Page B-1 “If you break your ankle, you X-ray it and you X-ray it until it’s not broken anymore,” Walt Whitman High School football coach Jim Kuhn said. “There’s no test to see if your brain has a concussion.” In 2013 MCPS began funding mandatory baseline concussion testing — these assess an athlete’s balance and brain function — for all student-athletes in an effort to reduce the risk of athletes returning to competition too quickly. Another way for the county to support student-athletes’ safety is through equipment, Richard Montgomery football coach Josh Klotz said. Technology is constantly changing and new and more effective equipment is always surfacing. Thanks to the support of its boosters Richard Montgomery football received more than $5,000 in new helmets this fall. It’s possible headgear might become a requirement on the soccer field at some point as well, coaches said.
Heads up Last year the National Federation of State High School Association partnered with USA Football to endorse the organization’s Heads Up Football program, which is geared toward promoting tackling mechanics that aim to reduce helmet contact. While the push is a high profile one, Klotz said these techniques have been taught by Montgomery County coaches for five to seven years under a different moniker. And it’s not just because they’re safer, they’re actually better, he said. Klotz said it’s also reached the youth organizations which is extremely important. The key to maintaining the proper technique — not leading with the head, more shoulder to body contact — is repetition, coaches agreed. If bad habits are there, they can be broken, Kuhn said.
ZAKOUR
Continued from Page B-1 print editions this fall, Jennifer Beekman (@jen_beekman; girls soccer, cross country), Ted Black (@tblackspts; girls volleyball, golf, tennis) Eric Goldwein (@ericgazette; boys soccer, field hockey) and Prince Grimes (@dmvprince; football) will provide readers with day-to-day coverage online at Gazette.net. Sports editor Ken Sain (@gazsptsed), a strong stable of freelancers and I (@kzakour) will all help out as needed. Beginning next week we will begin previewing all of the Montgom-
Kuhn and Klotz agreed that the majority of their athletes are first-time football players when they enter ninth grade so they start with a clean slate but even with experienced players they stressed the importance of taking the time to break down the tackle and work on strengthening the individual aspects that go into creating one single hit. Coaches in all sports have been encouraged to work with athletes on upper body, shoulder and neck strength to minimize neck movement during collisions and tackles.
Be cautious but not fearful The prospect of injury can be unnerving but playing timidly might actually increase the chances of enduring one, Clarksburg High girls’ soccer coach Christina Mann said. With all the recent attention paid to head injuries, soccer has come under recent scrutiny given that forcefully making contact with one’s head on the ball is actually a major component of the game. Some organizations have banned the act of heading the ball at the younger levels, which Clarksburg High girls’ soccer coach said is understandable. But rather than avoiding a part of the game that’s both instinctive and unlikely to go away, Mann said it’s important to make sure it’s done right — players can practice with smaller or lighter soccer balls. “Taking heading out of soccer could take away some players’ best quality,” said Washington Spirit midfielder Tori Huster. “Look at Abby Wambach. How many goals has she scored with her head? One thing that’s really important is to teach kids how to actually head the ball. There’s a technique to it and a place on the head that if you hit it there nine times out of 10 you will feel fine. There’s so much knowledge of concussions coming out, it’s also important to have knowledge of the right technique.” jbeekman@gazette.net
COURTESY OF THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS/DAVID SILVERMAN
Quince Orchard High School graduate Travis Hawkins is trying to earn a spot on the New England Patriots’ roster this month.
PLAYING
ery County public and private high school programs. Cross country, field hockey, golf and tennis are scheduled for Aug. 20 with boys and girls soccer and girls volleyball set for Aug. 27. Finally, our football preview section, complete with individual team capsules, will run on Sept. 3. kzakour@gazette.net The Gazette’s sports department is on Twitter. Follow us @Mont_ Sports and @PG_Sports. Use hashtag #mdprep this fall to stay connected for scores involving Montgomery and Prince George’s counties’ teams.
Continued from Page B-1 was highly-recruited at out of Quince Orchard, where he also saw time at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. Hawkins originally committed to the University of Maryland, College Park, but transferred to Delaware two years later once a new coaching regime took over at Maryland. Hawkins went one to graduate as one of the top cornerbacks and kick returners in the Colonial Athletic Association. He was also the first person in his family to earn a college degree. Hawkins said that while he was at Delaware, his only focus was to win a championship. And while he never won a CAA title, he did make an impression
big enough to make an NFL team’s 90man preseason roster — something he said never crossed his mind while he was playing. Now with the Patriots, Hawkins is playing a new position, safety, and hoping to stay on the roster, which has to be cut down to 53 players by August 30. Teams also have to cut their roster down to 75 players on August 26, following the third weekend of preseason games. “I feel like I did some good things. I felt like I did some bad things,” said Hawkins, who finished with four tackles and a 20-yard kickoff return against Washington. “I got to get better. Coach told me I did some good things as far as tackling and stuff like that. ... I’m my biggest critiquer, so I know what I got to do. I got to work harder and just give my best day-in and day-out to give me my best
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chance to make the roster.” He said he’s received the most advice from veteran safety Devin McCourty, who has been a starter for the Patriots since 2010. “Absolutely [it’s fun]. Every day, I just got to come out and have fun,” Hawkins said. “When I’m having fun, that’s when I feel like I’m playing at my best. Whenever I’m thinking too much and just worrying about the little things, that’s when I start making mistakes. So the biggest thing is to have fun and just stay in your playbook and know what you’re doing at all times.” The Patriots next preseason game is scheduled for Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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CONCUSSION
Wednesday, August 13, 2014 s