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New Football Practice Policies

March 25, 2014

Last Friday, the MHSAA Representative Council adopted the proposals of the Football Task Force revising practice policies that take effect this fall, helping Michigan schools keep pace with an advancing standard of care – a standard that is reducing head-to-head contact in football practice on every level and in every league.

Michigan’s Football Task Force proposal – the result of four meetings during 2013 and much research and work between them – reduces collision practices to one a day before the first game and to two per week after the first game.

A collision practice is one in which there is live, game-speed, player-vs-player contact in pads (not walk-throughs) involving any number of players. This includes practices with scrimmages, drills and simulation where action is live, game-speed, player-vs-player.

A non-collision practice may include players in protective gear. Blocking and tackling technique may be taught and practiced. However, full-speed contact is limited to players versus pads, shields, sleds or dummies.

The new policies also increase the acclimatization period at the start of fall practice from three days to four days – helmets only permitted on the first two days, helmets and shoulder pads only on the third and fourth days.

Click this link for the Complete policy and FAQs.

Highlight: Cheboygan's Dawson Granger

September 13, 2012

Cheboygan junior Dawson Granger showed some great focus and hops as well in pulling down this touchdown pass during his team's Week 2 game against Marquette.

See that clip here -- and help us show everyone your favorite highlights from any sport.

Have one or two we all should see? Point us to a video clip already posted on YouTube, and we'll give it a home here as well. Or email the mp4 file to Geoff Kimmerly at [email protected] along with a brief explanation of who is on the clip, when and where it took place, and the final score of the contest, and we'll produce them and post them on our Second Half "Videos" page.

Below, Cheboygan quarterback Damon Proctor finds the 6-foot-3 Granger in the back of the end zone. The Chiefs fell to Marquette 34-21, but are 2-1 this season.