The Yazoo Herald

The Philadelphia Eagles reported to training camp in Lehigh University on Sunday and the first player they chose in 2012 NFL Draft was one of the first to report to training camp.
Fletcher Cox got his first taste of the NFL in full pads Monday afternoon.
It was announced prior to Sunday that defensive tackle Mike Peterson was still recovering from brain surgery.
Due to the injury, the 12th overall draft pick for the Eagles has an opportunity to make it on the field as a starter from the first game.

Hard hits, like the one given out by Bo Dickerson during the 2011 season, can lead to concussions, but hits to the head aren’t the only way a concussion can occur. Hits to the any part of the body can trigger a concussion or cause second-impact syndrome. The tackle shown above didn’t result in any injuries, but is a common way concussions occur.By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor

Football is a violent sport.
That’s a statement every coach and player can attest to, but human nature forces us to want to win at all costs. Sometimes that means jeopardizing players’ health.
In a sport as violent as football, health and safety is something that can’t be overlooked, which was the purpose of the Concussion Discussion Seminar held at the First Baptist Church this past Friday. The seminar, which was sponsored by King’s Daughters Hospital, was to inform coaches and doctors in the Yazoo area of what the guidelines for a player returning to action after suffering a head injury and preventing second impact syndrome.
It’s a story the country has grasped hold of with both hands, most notably a lawsuit involving thousands of former NFL players. However, Yazoo county isn’t immune.
“It’s a lot worse than what people think (in Yazoo),” Felecia Saulter, Med, ATC for KDH and MSMOC, said. “I know of at least six or seven (players) that have gotten pretty good concussions and shouldn’t have been allowed to play.”
Those players who suffered concussions and returned to action were at risk of falling victim to second impact syndrome.
“Second impact syndrome is when they are still having issues from the first concussion that haven’t been resolved and the player goes out and gets a hit on their body or head that causes the brain to move around,” Saulter said. “It can swell up and could kill them.”
There are cases out there of players who have died, or were in critical condition, because of concussions and second impact syndrome. Wesley Ward and Brittany Fitzgerald both were athletes who suffered from concussions that have an impact on them today.
Fitzgerald suffered nine concussions throughout her playing career, while Ward’s symptoms of second impact syndrome nearly took his life.
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Shortstop Anna Ryan Ragland drives a pitch down the left field line during a recent intra squad scrimmage at Manchester Academy.Lexi Guion will be Benton’s third baseman this season. It will be her first at the hot corner where she has improved with each day.Nora Grace Davis, the lone senior for Benton, fields a ball during a recent practice. Davis will be looked to as the leader of the Lady Raiders in 2012.By TAYLOR MITCHELL
Sports Editor

This is the third part of our 2012 fast pitch softball preview. Games begin July 27th.

No batting line up is perfect.
There is always something a coach wants, or thinks his team needs to be even better. While this is true for A.J. Downs, his Manchester Academy line up is a solid one with very few weak spots, if any.
“There isn’t an easy out in our line up,” Downs, the head softball coach, said. “I don’t know of a person right now in our line up that is an easy out.  I hope that can continue into the season. Every hitter in our order is doing really well. They’re putting the ball in play and that’s all I can ask for.”
While his batting line up is pretty much where Downs wants it to be, there are some question marks in the infield.
“Right now we have some positions that aren’t filled,” Downs said. “We have about 12 more practices before we really play. We’ll be scrimmaging and whoever is the best will get to play.”
Those two positions for the Lady Mavs are at second and third base.
“We have a good competition right now between Brooke Harris and Cole Potter (at second base),” Downs said. “I told them they’ll have to fight for the job. They’re both embracing that and I’m a firm believer that competition brings out the best in a person. They’ll either rise to the occasion or fold under pressure.”
Harris did not play with the team last season and Potter was a starter in the outfield, earning herself a spot on The Yazoo Herald’s All Herald Softball Team. Despite the lack of experience at the position, Downs believes the competition will reveal who the best is at second and third base.
At third base, the battle for the starting nod is down to Seward Perry and Elizabeth (Izzy) Mills.
“I’ve talked to both of them and told them to compete and the best one will play,” Downs said. “Seward is more of a power hitter and Izzy is more of a spray-type hitter.”
At Benton Academy, head coach Vince Davis is also working in new players at two positions, while strengthening other positions that have experience.
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The 2012 7/8 year old All Star team won the Sportsmanship award for the overall state tournament earlier this month in Hattiesburg. Players include Livi Howell, Regan White, Lizzie Carpenter, Gracey Saxton, Kylee Creel, Katilyn Johnson, Jada Richardson, Lauren Pigg, Gracey Manor, Resa Carter, Ann Hampton Wells and Harli Vandevere. Coaches are Jamie Carter, Bubba Saxton, Bridgett Vandevere and Jeffrey Carpenter.