Neutral Concussion Doctors in BPL

Thibault Courtois (in yellow) is removed from Chelsea's game against
Arsenal after this collision with the knee of Alexis Sanchez (in red).

Head injuries have become a growing concern throughout the sports world. The NFL is becoming more strict on the safety of equipment, helmet-to-helmet hits, and other connections to possible head injuries. Youth sports have seen a growing concern in the topic of concussions as well. The growing concern and awareness for head injuries around the world has sparked new rules and regulations for many sports organizations.

A new rule has been put in place for the 2014-15 season in the Barclay's Premier League for head injuries. A neutral doctor known as a 'tunnel doctor' has been added to every BPL match this season. Normally each team has their own team doctors present at every match, but another doctor has been added specifically to deal with possible head injuries. The tunnel doctor is given the task of conducting a on-the-pitch test for any player that has been in a collision with a possible head injury. This new rule gives the tunnel doctor the final say in whether a player can return after a head injury. The new rule states that even if a player does not lose consciousness, the doctor can prevent them from returning to the match. However, if a player does lose consciousness after a possible head-injuring play, the player is not eligible to return to the game.

This rule was put in place after many controversial head injuries that were left untreated during games in the previous BPL season and the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Players from Germany, Uruguay, and Argentina suffered blatantly obvious head injuries, but they were allowed to continue. Kramer of Germany continued to play after a blow to the head, but was later substituted after clear signs of a concussion. Mascherano of Argentina stumbled to the ground in a daze after being kicked in the head, and the player was allowed to continue playing. Alvaro Pereira of Uruguay was left unconscious in his game, and upon awaking he refused to leave the game. Romelu Lukaku of Everton was also left unconscious last season in the BPL after scoring a goal against West Ham. He was allowed to continue, and he later claimed he had no recollection of the goal or events leading up to it. Hugo Lloris was allowed to continue after a serious collision was Romelu Lukaku in a separate game, and both were allowed to continue after showing signs of concussions.

This season the tunnel doctors have been used effectively. A collision between Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois and an opponent led the doctor to allow Courtois to continue under constant watch by the doctor. Another slight signal of a concussion by Courtois forced the tunnel doctor to halt the game and remove the keeper from the game. Chelsea were forced to substitute in their back-up goalkeeper for the remainder of the match. The new rule seems to be a same change that is not drastically affecting the sport in England. The BPL is definitely taking strides in the right direction for head injuries, and other professional leagues should follow suit.

'Hands Up' by the St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams players doing the 'hands up, don't shoot' gesture
prior to their game against the Raiders this past Sunday

Throughout the nation, attention is being brought to the supposed unjust and unnecessary use of force by police officers on black people. This has been a common issue for years, and now it seems the issue has reached a climax. The Ferguson case about the death of 18-year-old Mike Brown, a black man, on august 9th has become a cause for riots and protest everywhere in the US. Brown was shot by 28-year-old Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer. Brown is said to have charged Wilson after a confrontation, thus causing Wilson to fire off several shots at Brown. Brown was shot dead by Wilson in the street. The case was found by a grand jury to not have enough evidence against Wilson to indict him.

Riots erupted throughout Missouri by citizens to show their disapproval of the grad jury's ruling. Violent marches, fires, and other forms of rebellious protest began across Missouri and other states. A common gesture throughout the protest of this case has been the 'hands up, don't shoot' sign by protesters. This sign is demonstrated by protesters raising both hands up to their head like police normally ask criminals to do. This sign shows the protesters' hatred toward how the police handle a situation when they are looking to arrest a black person. It is a very sarcastic sign, and the police find it very disrespectful.

A very infamous use of this gesture was used this past Sunday at a St. Louis Rams football game. Five players from the St. Louis Rams walked out of the tunnel just prior to the start of the game using the 'hands up, don't shoot' gesture. The players held the gesture up another time later in the game after the Rams' running back scored a touchdown. The gesture was used as the players' celebration. The Rams and NFL are not fining the players for the gesture, but St. Louis police are asking for a public apology and reprimand to the players by the NFL.

Stellar Season Ends Early for Norton

Norton circle up before the start of their game against Foxborough. 

After a stellar ending to a win against Dover Sherborn on Monday November 3rd, Norton took on Foxborough two day later on Thursday. Foxborough was the No. 6 seed heading into the game against No. 3 seed Norton. Foxborough swept through Bounre High School in the first round with an easy 6-1 victory. Norton was still the favorite to win in this quarterfinal matchup despite the great victory by Foxborough and Norton's not-so-pretty win against DS.

The kickoff of the game started at 7, and before 7:01 Foxborough had already taken an early lead off  a messy play at the top of Norton's penalty box. The immediate goal was a serious obstacle for Norton and their hopes of victory, but they were confident that they could overcome the deficit. Norton was able to retain possession well in the game, but not much offense was produced. Foxborough scored another goal with 6 minutes remaining in the 1st half. The 2nd half was dominated by Norton, but the Foxborough defense held strong. Norton's offense was kept out of the Foxborough net, and Foxborough left Wheaton College with a 2-0 victory.

The Norton boys did not expect a loss this early in the MIAA state playoffs. Norton was able to earn the highest seeding in Norton High School history for boys's soccer, and they expected to take advantage of this high seed. Norton planned to meet Medway in the South Sectional Final. This 2014 season was the best record Norton boys' soccer has ever had. The loss in the quarterfinals was not the way 15-3 Norton wanted to end their historic season.

Lancers Looking Ahead to Medway

Norton Lancers before their 1-0 loss at Medway.

The Norton Lancers are currently 8-1 on the season. They have 8 straight wins since their season opening loss to Medway. Norton was set to host Bellingham on Wednesday, but the game was pushed back to Thursday because of poor field conditions from the constant rain leading up to the game. Bellingham traveled to Norton the next day (Thursday) and were dealt a 5-2 loss to the Lancers.

Norton have already put the win over Bellingham behind them, and they are planning for Medway at home on Monday October, 6th. Norton is currently in 2nd place in the TVL standings. The only team ahead of them in the standings is undefeated Medway (8-0). Norton and Medway are clearly the top two teams to beat in the TVL this year. Both teams have proved to the rest of the league that they are always capable of leaving any game with a win.

As of Tuesday, the two people tied for most points in the league are from Medway and Norton. Jake Warren of Medway has 6 goals and 9 assists this year for a total of 15 points. Jon Lach of Norton has 8 goals and 7 assists to tie Warren for 1st in points with 15 points. This game will also boast a strong goalkeeper battle. The keepers for each team are the two best shot-stoppers in the TVL this year. Mike Bagdon of Medway has recorded 0 goals against in 8 games. The only goals scored on Medway this year have been when Bagdon has been subbed out by the backup goalkeeper, Tanner Pearl. Ryan Blakeley has proved to be a great asset to Norton in his first varsity season. In nine games Blakeley has allowed just 5 goals with a total of 6 shutouts. This matchup on Monday should prove who is the top team in the TVL this year, Medway or Norton.

Norton Blows Past TVL Champs

Defenders Colin O'Leary (middle) and Danny Pereira (left)congratulate keeper Ryan Blakeley (right) after the shutout against Millis on Monday. The Lancers won 7-0.

Norton faced off against TVL rival Holliston today at Holliston. The Lancers and Holliston are rivals, and Holliston was the team that beat Norton in the third round of the MIAA playoffs last year. Holliston had the advantage last year in the series versus Norton. Norton won the first matchup 5-2, lost 2-1, and then lost 1-0 in the state tournament. The games between these two often have an extra edge and excitement to them. Norton seems to be the more dominant team this year though. The Lancers came into the game expecting a hard fought game, but they still anticipated a strong victory.

Norton came out of the gates pretty strong against Holliston today. The Lancers took an early lead of 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of the game. The first 2 goals were scored by Jon Lach and Jordan Lach. After that the Lancers controlled the entire game. Holliston was no match for Norton on this day. Norton's domination did not slow during the second half. It picked up. Norton scored 4 more goals in the second half. Goals were scored by Jared Kahn, Jon Lach, Danny Pereira, and 2 by Matt Bukowski. Over the last four games Norton has scored 20 goals and conceived 0. This proves how the defense has been a strong point of Norton's success this year. Jon Lach had nothing but positivity to say after the game,"We played really well and dominated every aspect of the game. It felt really good because they knocked us out of the playoffs last year, and there has always been a rivalry between us. Every defender played really well to help keep the shutout. The midfielders and forwards did their job and finished the opportunities that came". Norton looks to continue this successful first half of the season with a home game against Westwood at 3:30.

NHS Boys' Varsity Soccer

The Norton High School boys' soccer team entered a new season this year. The Lancers had a fantastic season last year. They started the season off undefeated, but ended up losing 2 of their final 4 games in the season. They went on to lose in the second round of the MIAA Playoffs to league rival Holliston. Holliston had also handed Norton their first loss of the season. The Lancers lost 7 seniors this year, 6 of whom were starters. When asked about this year's team compared to last year's, Coach Nick Gale had this to say, "It's difficult to not look back to last year's team and the success that we had. It was a great group. However, this year's team is the focus of our attention and we don't want to take time away from our current team to dwell on past success. Our program this year has the skill, intelligence, and the chemistry to have just as much success as last season, if not more. We don't want to settle for good enough, we want more, and our team shares that mentality." Coach Gale and the Lancers seem to have a strong winning mentality heading into the new season.

The Lancers are considered a young team compared to other teams in the TVL. The Lancers have 5 seniors, and just 3 of them are starters. The rest of the team consists of 9 juniors, 2 sophomores, and 1 freshman. Many teams would be slightly concerned with having such a young core, but Coach Nick Gale has complete confidence in the young squad, "It may not be ideal for other programs, but I think it's a great situation for us. Our 3 starting seniors have been varsity players for 2-3 seasons now, and they are providing direct leadership to our youngest players on and off the field. we also have a strong sophomore and junior class with varsity and club experience whom have a direct impact in our current success, and they will provide future success to this program. Sometimes programs have to start from square one when a senior class graduates - we do not". Coach Gale's confidence in this young team directly represents this organizations great chemistry and mentality. This young team seems to be looking to do big things this season and in seasons to come.

Last year the Norton boys' soccer team was a serious threat for the TVL title. The Lancers posted one of the best seasons the high school has seen in a long time. The goals of the past team were aimed very high compared to most years. Usually Norton is scratching and clawing to make it into the state playoffs, but last year they hoped to go deep into the playoffs and to contest for a state championship. Senior Captain Matt Bukowski was asked about his goals for the team this year after such a successful past season, and he showed no signs of a weakened confidence for this season, "Our goals haven't changed. We strive to be the best in the TVL and in the state. Our current team is as strong as any Norton soccer team has been". This year's team does show all the rights signs of potentially being one of the best teams in Norton High School history. The immense amounts of skill, hard work, and chemistry between all the players has exhibited the vast potential this team has for this season. Coach Eric Greene and his team are heading to Ashland tomorrow, and are looking for a resounding win against what seems to be an inferior Ashland team.