Bob Mack, Costa Mesa, California says, "I gave some patches to a football player at Western High school named Devonte Merrifield. I heard some very interesting things from Devonte regarding his use of the patches which I now relate:
When Devonte received the patches he had been out injured with a separated shoulder for three games. Many people didn’t think he would be able to play in the next game. When he put the patches on he said he “felt better” so the coaches let him play the first half in the game. By half time he had scored four touchdowns and his team went on to win 62 to 27.
In the next game he played three quarters and scored five touchdowns and led his team to a 38 to 22 victory and the league championship.
The next game was a CIF playoff in which Devonte and an all league lineman wore the patches. Devonte played three quarters again and made four touchdowns and led his team to a 42 to 15 victory. The lineman was named lineman of the week for his aggressive play.
Before going to the next part of the story, it is important to note that in all the previous games the athletes that wore the patches had plenty of energy and were hardly tired after the game.
The next playoff game was against an opponent that had an all league quarterback who had already been offered a scholarshiop to Washington State. At this point, there were only enough patches left for one more game so the athletes decided to save them for the championship game. They thought they could win the next playoff game without the patches.
In this semifinal game, however, the opposing team’s quarterback picked apart the Western pass defense and the linemen had to chase the quarterback all over the field the entire game. Devonte scored only two touchdowns, yet played the whole game. Western barely won 28 to 23. After this game everyone was exhausted. Devonte and the all county lineman both said they should have worn the patches. They both said that with the patches they had more energy and were not as tired at the end of the game.
In the championship game three players wore the patches and all three played well. Unfortunately, those that didn’t have the patches ran out of energy, made mistakes and were worn out.
Western’s quarterback, who usually plays well, lost his poise under all the pressure of the championship game, got rattled, fumbled the ball on the opponent’s two yard line.
I feel certain that if he had worn the patches that he could have dealt with the pressure and he would not have fumbled the ball. The results would have been different without this fumble.
Even though Western lost that championship game, their 12 and 2 record was very good.
This high school experiment with the Energy Patches was very educational and I have compiled the following observations from the athletes that wore the patches:
They had a 50% increase in stamina, energy, power and strength (subjective).
There was a 50 to 60% increase performance (statistical improvement)
There was a reduction in muscle soreness
There was a reduction in pain from prior injuries
There was an increase in focus, concentration and decision making ability
There was a continued residual benefit after removing the patches
There were continued benefits when wearing patches that had been worn previously (they last longer than the stated 16 hours)
The patches enhanced the potency of health supplements
They provided calmness and control
I definitely feel that the patches make a great contribution at the high school football level"
