Even though concussion awareness has increased tenfold the past several years, it is still a hot-button issue and cited by some as a reason participation in football California's most popular high school sport has declined since 2007.

Recent headline-grabbing stories of former NFL players committing suicide, as well as a lawsuit against the league filed by nearly 3,000 former players and players' family members claiming a cover-up over the perils of head trauma, has left some questioning whether the sport is too dangerous for teens and their still-developing brains.

But coaches and administrators say much is being done to protect players from head injuries, including cutting-edge baseline testing at some schools.

Coaches are being more resourceful about the amount of contact in practice; more cognizant of helmet wear and fit; and vigilant about teaching techniques to avoid helmet-to-helmet contact.

"I think the concern about concussions is hurting numbers a little bit, but I also think there's a lot more awareness now than when I played," said Rio Linda football coach Mike Morris, who said he suffered a severe concussion as a high school player only to play the next week.

Referees now have the authority to remove a player from a game if they suspect a concussion has been suffered. Under state law, players are not allowed to return to practice until they have been cleared by a medical professional.

A bill (AB 1451) requiring high school coaches to complete concussion training also passed the California Assembly and Senate by unanimous votes and was signed into law Friday by Gov. Jerry Brown. High school coaches would be required to take a concussion course every two years, just as they now do for CPR and first aid training.

Mesa Verde football coach and athletic director Ron Barney is a supporter of the new law, having suffered a severe concussion in an alumni football game years ago.

"It's a good course and covers everything you need to know," Barney said. "I'm excited about it."

Some schools are being proactive on the issue of concussions.

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High school football: Concussion prevention and treatment a priority