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| A Covington second grader hauls in a pass. |
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| A seven-on-seven passing scrimmage highlighted the camp. |
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July 18, 2007 – COVINGTON
The future of Covington football was on display this week as over 70 kids from grades second to eighth participated in the annual football camp at the high school practice fields.
Throughout the three-day camp the kids learned the fundamentals of the game, as well as life lessons from the Buccaneer coaching staff and members of the football team. But mostly importantly, the kids had fun.
"It's good to see all of you out here," Buccaneer coach Dave Miller told the kids. "Enjoy this. Enjoy being around your friends. It will be over before you know it."
The lessons the campers learned were put to a test as each age group participated in competitions - punting, passing and kicking. The campers were also tested in the 40-yard dash.
The final day of the camp was the highlight as the campers were separated into teams and participated in a seven-on-seven scrimmage. This gave the kids the opportunity to put to the test what they learned throughout the camp in a friendly competition.
It was also an opportunity for the high school kids to get a taste of what it is like to be coaches.
"I'm proud the kids (high school kids) for the way they are conducting themselves around the little kids," said coach Miller. "They are setting a good example and that's good to see."
Miller was also impressed by the talent he saw from the little guys.
"There's some nice little players out here," smiled Miller as he watched the action. "It will be fun to see how these kids develop and mature."
At the end of the camp Miller gathered all of the campers for a question and answer session with the high school players. It was a chance for the little guys to hear first hand what it's like to play on Friday nights and how fast that experience goes by.
"There's nothing like it (playing of Friday nights)," said recent graduate Gene Studebaker, who is headed to Wittenburg. "Playing under the lights with all of the people there to watch - it's awesome. It goes by way too fast."
Drew Craft, another recent graduate agreed.
"It will be over before you know it," he said. "I miss the little things. The coaches calling you over to give instruction. Going to a friends house before each game to hang out."
Coach Miller closed out the camp by handing out t-shirts to each participant and urging the youngsters to become a part of the program.
"Hopefully you'll come watch these guys (the high school team) play," Miller said. "One day you'll be in these guys shoes (playing high school football). You are the future of this program."
