High schools coaches fight the perception that football is unsafe. by Mike Hutton, The truth about head injuries in high school football is hard to know: These are uncertain times for high school football coaches. The game is under assault because of the risk of head injuries. "If someone tells you to lower your head to tackle a player, you better run," Portage coach Wally McCormack said. "They will come to take your house. It's,'Lower your shoulder.' The sport of football is being attacked from so many different angles." The truth about head injuries in high school football is hard to know.