Serra football players will be donning safer headwear this fall thanks to a fundraising effort that will outfit the Padres in Riddell Speed Flex helmets. The new helmets have the capability to “flex” upon impact, distributing force around the helmet and thus lessening the resulting impact on the brain. This will theoretically decrease the probability that concussions will occur throughout the season.
The flexibility is built most notably into the facemask, which operates on a hinge system. A rectangular flex piece on the crown is functional, and makes the helmet distinct aesthetically. The helmet can flex approximately one-quarter of an inch, according to Riddell. Underneath the shell, Riddell has developed new padding that it called a “composite energy-management system.” Major college programs such as Texas, Arkansas and LSU have adopted the new technology, with more to come this fall. NFL players Eddie Lacy and Wes Welker also wore it on Sundays in 2014.
The Serra athletic and development offices worked together throughout the spring to secure the funds necessary to outfit varsity players. Both Serra alumni and parents gave to the cause. Parents were also allowed to purchase an individual new helmet for their son. They can either donate it back to the program or keep it after their son graduates.
In addition, the relatively new Riddell Revolution Speed helmets previously used by the varsity will be passed down to JV and freshmen players. This will complete a full “helmet refresh” for the program, as Coach Patrick Walsh puts it.
BELLS READY TO TOLL: Three Bellarmine football players displayed their top-end speed this spring on the track. The Bell 4x100 relay team won the CCS and WCAL championships with three returning football starters, Troy Martig, Kyle Macauley and Devon Buenrostro on the four-man team. The Bells’ time of 42.02 in the WCAL’s was a full 1.42 seconds faster than the second place team of St. Ignatius. Macauley also won the individual 100-meter and 200-meter WCAL competitions with times of 10.69 and 21.99, respectively.
The rising senior speedsters are key returners for the Bells, who finished third in the WCAL last year and advanced to the CCS Open Division championship game. Martig played quarterback in the Bells’ run-heavy, double-wing offense last year. He was able to showcase his athleticism in the option game as well as on designed quarterback runs. Macauley was an all-around athlete for the Bells, playing receiver, running back and cornerback. The two players starred in Bellarmine’s CCS semifinal game against Valley Christian, where Martig galloped for a 57-yard touchdown run and Macauley caught a 23-yard pass for a score.
Buenrostro is a also a versatile threat for the Bells, playing running back and cornerback last year while being featured as an explosive kick returner. All three players were on this summer’s Team Big Blue in Passing Down’s Best of the West passing league. The team won the NorCal championship and featured fellow Bells Vince Fernandez, Josh Bringuel, Sam Vogel and Jacob Bergstrom.
WARRIOR COMMITS TO BUFFS: Valley Christian linebacker Akil Jones has verbally committed to play for the University of Colorado. The rising senior is 6’1” and 215 pounds. He is a 3-star recruit who has run a 4.8 40-yard dash, according to Rivals. Jones is known for his motor and ability to get to the quarterback. He also had offers from San Diego State, UNLV, Wyoming and Utah State. Jones will join former Warriors players Ryan Severson and Jay MacIntyre at Colorado.
