From June 14-16, the Avery Vikings in conjunction with the Avery Parks and Recreation Department held its annual youth football camp for elementary and middle school students at MacDonald Stadium.During the three-day event, nearly two dozen campers were put through the paces by the Avery Vikings coaching staff and current players with various drills. Techniques such as blocking, footwork, pass catching, running, and throwing were emphasized as campers learned moves from players who one day they hope to emulate on the gridiron as a high school athlete.
“The biggest thing we try to do is for the kids to have a great time, and to try to give each kid a taste of everything related to the game. By the time a kid gets to high school, he may play a different position than he plays at this point, so we like to try to let the kids go through different stations and experience the game from all angles and positions as best we can,” said Avery High School head football coach Darrell Brewer.
“The camp is one of the most fun activities we get to do in the course of the year. Our main goal in the camp is to teach the students the game of football, but more importantly to develop a love for the game.”
Around a dozen current Viking football players worked during the camp as instructors at various stations on the field. Campers got the opportunity to learn up close a number of drills from Avery players who enjoyed taking time to work with the children who took part. The campers even enjoyed a frozen Popsicle at the end of the camp day.
As players take part in the camp, it is evident that the players who have played football previously through school or community teams bring more refined skills to the camp
“I tell you, this group of upcoming freshmen coming to the high school may be the best group of players coming in since I’ve been the head coach,” Coach Brewer stated. “You are starting to see the benefits of the work the coaches in the county have put into teaching the game.”
As the years go by, the camp has developed players from kids just learning about the game to seasoned veteran players who currently don jerseys on Friday nights.
“We have kids that we’re blessed to have come back each year. Also, many of our current players who are working as instructors stood in those same shoes the campers are in and have been here for several years. It’s a pretty neat deal,” Coach Brewer stated.
The Avery football program feels strongly about the importance of holding an annual football camp and about its benefits to area kids.
“If we get 15 to 20 kids coming to the camp and loving football, it’s well worth every minute we spend,” Coach Brewer said. “I’d love to see 50 kids here, and we’re hoping to work on some things next year in hopes of getting more kids involved.”
The Avery football team hopes the campers remember the good time they experienced at this year’s camp, and Coach Brewer hopes they will return to Avery High in the fall to cheer on the Vikings. “We’d love to see those guys wearing those
