DETROIT -- The Michigan High School Athletic Association says its unique sideline concussion testing program for athletes in football and other sports is having a positive impact, though long-term funding is an issue as it heads into its second and final year.Member schools in the pilot program removed players for possible concussions at a higher rate than schools that were not, Executive Director Jack Roberts said.Theyre proving that theyre good, but people are going to have to respond with support locally, Roberts said. We cannot sustain this forever.His group on Monday released results of its first-ever head-injury survey of more than 750 member high schools from 2015-2016 sports. It received data from nearly every school.The association started the program last fall with 62 high schools. It includes baseline testing of athletes in football and other sports to help with concussion diagnosis.The association spent $10,000 last school year to start the program. It expects to spend $30,000 this year but will have fewer schools -- 34 -- involved because of the expense and commitment. They will also concentrate on sports that have the highest incidence of head injury.I hope that we can demonstrate their value and encourage sponsorship, grant support, Roberts said. But its going to take I think some investment by the people in the communities. The moms and dads are going to have to think that this is important and worth to contributing to make the programs safer for their children.Here is some information on whats happening in Michigan:WHAT IS BASELINE TESTINGBaseline testing is a combination of memory, reaction time, attention and stress assessments. It is done in major pro sports because it is considered an objective and individualized tool to help decide whether to remove an athlete from a game. While all states have laws that address preventing concussions in youth sports, many are weak and none require baseline testing.WHY IT MATTERSMichigan schools reported 4,452 head injuries in boys and girls sport, or 5.9 per school. Contact sports had the most head injuries. Ranking first was 11-player football with 49 head injuries per 1,000 participants, followed by ice hockey with 38 and 8-player football with 34. Girls soccer had 30 injuries per 1,000 participants, and girls basketball ranked fifth with 29 injuries per 1,000.But that is likely only part of the picture. Health and safety advocates fear concussions often go undetected in high schools because of inconsistent protocols at districts unwilling or unable to spend money for detection. Its often on players to self-report concussions, or on coaches, who have many responsibilities and sometimes little training, to recognize symptoms.WHY NOT ALL SCHOOLSSchools typically dont argue with the benefit of testing, but cash-strapped districts often say the cost of offering such programs is prohibitive.PROGRAMS AVAILABLEMany sideline concussion-testing programs are on the market. Michigan is testing the Illinois-based King-Devick Test affiliated with the Mayo Clinic and Maryland-based XLNTbrain Sport. The association provides them for free to the participating schools. Long term, Roberts thinks the association could fund it in part with a $3 to $5 fee per student. But the association is also working to get grants.HOW IT WORKSBaselines with the XLNTbrain Sport are determined during 30-minute sessions by athletes at computers. The tests measure reaction time, attention, memory and stress by completing a series of exercises that involve such things as word recognition. Athletes suspected of a head injury undergo a sideline assessment done in about five minutes with an iPhone or tablet app. It assesses memory by providing words for the athlete to remember. It asks questions that require the athlete to recall the hit. The athletes also hold the phone as they stand for 20 seconds with eyes open and then closed to check balance. That assessment is compared to the athletes baseline data to help determine whether they can return to play.WHATS NEXT IN MICHIGANRoberts hopes that universities, health care systems and the National Federation of State High School Associations will help analyze the data from last year and this year. The association plans specifically to work with Michigan State Universitys Institute for the Study of Youth Sports to explore possible changes and additions in coaches education.----Follow Roger Schneider on Twitter at https://twitter.com/rogschneider Wholesale NFL Jerseys .C. at the helm of the top team in the Eastern Conference. 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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- While most of the preseason spotlight for the Patriots focused on who was missing at quarterback, there was just as much uncertainty surrounding the running back position.LeGarrette Blount was re-signed in the offseason after just missing his second career 1,000-yard season because of a late hip injury. In addition Dion Lewis, the teams primary receiving option out of the backfield, was working his way back from surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee.James White filled Lewis absence admirably at the end of 2015, though he clearly was still learning in just his second year in the league.But as the Patriots (10-2) prepare to head into what should be their toughest four-game stretch of 2016, they suddenly find themselves with lots of options at a position once clouded with questions. They will be needed as New England closes the regular-season by facing three winning opponents over their final four games.All three running backs were showcased in New Englands 26-10 over the Rams on Sunday. Blount had the best day, adding to his growing highlight reel with to a juke-filled 43-yard touchdown for the games first score. It helped put the Rams in a hole they never really threatened to recover from.We always preach that we have to start fast, Blount said. If you can do that you know you can get everything else rolling, and you can open up the playbook and call the plays that we play.Blount has rushed for 957 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, which is already his most productive year in a Patriots uniform. Hes just 43 yards shy of reaching 1,000, and 51 yards from surpassing the career-best 1,007 he had as a rookie in 2010 with Tampa Bay. If he reaches 15 touchdowns, it also would set a new single-season mark for a Patriots running back.Lewis made his second start Sunday sincee returning to the active list on Nov.dddddddddddd 13. He continued to look comfortable on his surgically-repaired knee, moving well into cuts after receptions. White was also in the mix, posting his fourth straight game with at least four receptions.With the newfound depth, the Patriots coaching staff also has shown its willingness to try out some two-back sets featuring the smaller Lewis and White. It appears to be proof that New England feels it has the personnel to keep defenses guessing.I think its like anything else we do, Belichick said. Whatever formations and groupings we run and plays we run, we try to gain an advantage and where we think we can gain advantage we try to take advantage of it.That could certainly change game to game, he said, based on the looks that defenses show them. Just having that flexibility, though, should help keep all three backs fresh as the playoffs approach.It will be even more important as the Patriots make adjustments in the passing game with tight end Rob Gronkowski now on injured reserve following season-ending back surgery. Receiver Danny Amendola became the latest injury victim Sunday when he left the game with an ankle issue. He was seen afterward walking with crutches.Whatever challenges lie ahead, Blount said he and his teammates would adjust as needed.Football does start after Thanksgiving here, he said. 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