CAIRO, Ga. (WTXL) - Each sport comes with risks, but football seems to come with more injuries than most.
Georgia teams conducted their first on-field practices of the season on Wednesday.
Football is known to be a contact sport, but for the first five days of practice, Georgia high school teams must practice with minimal contact.
That means, players can wear helmets, but they aren't allowed to tackle or be rough with each other.
These first five days are meant to condition the players and get them used to working in the hot and humid conditions.
For Cairo High School, the players are using practice bags to avoid bodily injuries. When they add pads next week, the Syrupmakers will have even more equipment to ward off more serious injuries, like concussions.
"We try to make sure all our starters are in the best helmet out there. We have shell protectors that we put on them which is supposed to eliminate a lot of that, for practice. We don't use them for games, but we use them in practice. Since we have pads on them, we put shells on their helmets," said Steve DeVoursney, Cairo High School Head Football Coach. "I think we're one of the few schools that are staying ahead of that, you know, preventative measures."
Staying ahead of the game, using the best and proper equipment, helps keep Cairo football players safe from injuries and concussions.
