In order to reduce the risk of concussions, the Brentwood-Oakley Youth Football League Falcons have decided to upgrade their teams’ helmets.

There’s no magic football helmet that can prevent an athlete from sustaining a concussion during active play. But thanks to recent research out of Virginia Tech, football players – and their parents – can heighten their awareness of equipment that reduces the risk of concussions and brain damage.

The Brentwood-Oakley Falcons will replace helmets in their current inventory that have earned only a three star rating or below. The Falcons have ordered new helmets for Jr. Pee-Wee through Midget teams. The younger-level teams played with high-safety helmets last season.

In addition to their improved safety rating, the new helmets will come in white to help keep the player’s head as cool as possible.

The 10 helmets rated by Virginia Tech researchers were as follows:

FIVE STARS: BEST AVAILABLE

• Riddell Revolution Speed

FOUR STARS: VERY GOOD

• Schutt ION 4D

• Schutt DNA Pro+

• Xenith X1

• Riddell Revolution

• Riddell Revolution IQ

THREE STARS: GOOD

• Schutt Air XP

TWO STARS: ADEQUATE

• Schutt Air Advantage

ONE STAR: MARGINAL

• Riddell VSR4

NR: NOT RECOMMENDED

• Adams A2000 Pro Elite

– Contributed by Stacey Chiaro