As the best in high school football prepared for play-off games this week, leaders in Washington D.C. studied football-related concussions.  Their specific concern is long-term, mental problems in professional players. 

They're considering adding extra safety measures in the NFL, but first, Congress wants more study done at the high school level.  Specifically, how do head injuries at this young age affect pro players later on.  These hearings are in response to recent reports that pro-players are being diagnosed with Alzheimers and similiar diseases at an alarming rate.

Concussions also caused Nebraska Huskers player Blake Lawerence to quit the team last week. Meanwhile, local high school coaches are more concerned than ever with the number and severity of concussions. 

Aurora High School Athletic Trainer Brian Frazier had two football players quit this season because of concussions. His rising concern prompted him to install a computer program this year that judges the severity and recovery of a concussion better than perhaps anything. 

Jordan Hohwieler is one of five Huskies this season who knows the feeling of a hard hit, then, a blackout. Aurora also had five concussions on their state championship team last year, a figure
Frazier is studying hard.

"Coaches are asking that too, are we doing something differently, doing something wrong? I
think what happens is we've got athletes that are bigger, faster and stronger."

While helmets continue to improve, players are starting playing at an earlier age. Plus, Frazier said supplements have helped players strike opponents much harder than they did a decade
ago.

"Linemen 10 years ago were 200 pounds, now we've got 280."

An Aurora doctor is also seeing the cases roll in from smaller area schools. "I'd say we have some seasons where I see one a week over the course of the season, and that's a lot."

Dr. Tim Widhalm of Memorial Health Clinic said, "Some years we've seen increments of one a week which is quite a few.

While actually stopping concussions might be a tall order, Frazier hopes to prevent more in players like Jordan. So this year, he brought in the computer program "Impact," software Grand Island Senior High, Lincoln and Omaha schools also use. It tests all of the brain's functions, not just blurry vision and headaches.

"How they respond to thinking skills, their reaction times, right or wrong answers..." Frazier said.

Also, emotions, like unexplained crying and balance.

"Because our brain controls so many things, we need to check so many things."

All players are first tested at the beginning of the season.

"After my concussion they tested me a few times to see my progress," Jordan said.

This chart shows a player's exact improvement, or lack of, percentage wise. Dr. Widhalm sees its biggest impact in preventing Second Impact Syndrome, a second blow to the head
before the first concussion heals. It is usually fatal.

"The biggest focus we have here is making sure players don't go back in before they're ready.
It's probably the best tool I've seen," he said.

Reporter's Notes: Stacia Kalinoski:

As concerned as the NFL is, Frazier said pro players come back from concussions earlier and in
better shape than a high school player. Research shows the players suffering the most concussions are special teams players and wide receivers.