BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — The high school football season officially kicks off for most schools Friday across the state.
The Burke County gridiron athletes are now equipped with new technology to help alert coaches to possible concussions in real time.
Sensors in the helmets immediately alert trainers and coaches on the sideline to a hit to the head that could cause a concussion.
"Have something that preserves our game,” Mark Buffamoyer, head coach East Burke High School, said. “Our game is in a situation right now where we have some concussions, and we want to protect our kids."
[RELATED: New NFL rule aimed at avoiding concussions could change the game]
"More live data,” director of student services Mike Swan said. “The athletic trainer has a device they carry around the field similar to a phone, where that device would buzz and then they can monitor that student."
Jim Childers is the assistant principal and athletic director at East Burke High, where two of his sons also play football. Like many parents, he wants his sons and their teammates to be as safe as possible when they're on the field.
"From a parent’s standpoint, you want them to be in the best equipment possible – the best,” Childers said. “The parent side comes out sometimes. You want to make sure they're getting up."
The Riddell Helmets are not inexpensive. They cost the county close to $400 each, and all four high school football teams across the county now have them.
Coaches believe the money is well spent and said the data can tell them if a player needs to adjust his tackling technique to prevent injuries.
A player can be quickly pulled from the game and checked out when a coach is alerted.
"They're a child and a student-athlete," Buffamoyer said. "If they come out, they are in the safest helmet possible, and I think our county has provided for that."
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