Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series of stories on the For the first time in recent memory,
The program, taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, is open to any middle school student wishing to take advantage of the high school weight room facility while under the supervision of Avery High football coaches Steve Milligan and Trevor Shields.
“This has been going really well for us. Coach Brewer has been having some of his junior varsity and varsity players in his weight training class and has been working extremely hard. We’ve brought the middle school students over to the high school on Tuesday and Thursday after school because NCHSAA rules prohibit our junior varsity and varsity players from being with them,” Avery associate head coach Steve Milligan said last week. “We’ve got on average anywhere from 20 to 25 kids here and they’re working pretty hard.”
In addition to the veteran coaches, the middle school student-athletes learn the nuances and proper technique of weight training from Trevor Shields, former Avery Vikings football player whose commitment to weight training and on-field ability afforded him an opportunity to play football at the collegiate level.
“These guys have a great work ethic. We have a lot of kids who work well with one another. Nobody thinks they’re better than anyone else and they all work hard. A couple of kids haven’t lifted before, but we’re working with them and they are coming along really well,” Shields said as he observed the student workouts. “I like the idea of the kids lifting with other at their comparable skill and weight level, but I wouldn’t mind them lifting with older players, like the junior varsity players, so they can get adjusted to working with the older kids and future teammates and see them lifting the heavier weights. Everything we do starts in the weight room.”
The program, while helping students understand the commitment needed to prepare for football at the high school level, teaches kids the importance of teamwork, technique, and the desire to work hard to achieve one’s goals.
“I’m thrilled to have the middle school players come up to the high school to work out. They are putting a lot of effort in and it’s paying off,” Avery head football coach Darrell Brewer said. “It warms my heart to walk in the weight room on those days and see the number of kids from the middle schools that we have who are coming.”
For the students themselves, it is an opportunity to become acquainted with the high school football program and routine, and also to come together and build camaraderie and teamwork, things that in years past has not generally occurred until late in the summer or at the beginning of their freshman year at Avery High.
“I can’t wait until the end of the school day to get to the high school and lift weights. I feel a lot more stronger and more fit than when I began,” Cranberry Middle School football player Cody Clawson said during a workout last week at the high school. “It really helps us to get ready, and we get to work out with friends and get to know each other better and get ready to win a state championship.”
“It’s really helpful to get to work out with the coaches. I know it’s going to help us when we get into practice,”
Middle school athletes who want to take part in the weight training program are welcome to do so, and can simply contact their middle school football coach, Avery head coach Darrell Brewer, Coach Steve Milligan, or any other member of the Viking coaching staff.
“When we met with the middle schools, we had around 40 students show interest in the weight and conditioning program. We have seen around 25 who have committed to coming,” Coach Milligan said. “We provide bus transportation from the middle schools for any kid that wants to join us.”
Summer workout conditioning program begins June 7th, and will take place on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons from
