CHS head coach Scott Worsham guides young camper Edward in running a pass route and receiving the pass. Gini Davis/The Creswell Chronicle
Creswell High School coaches and returning high school football players put young hopefuls through their paces during a Football Summer Kids’ Camp for kindergarteners through sixth graders, held June 11-12 on the CHS football field.
With temperatures in the mid-90s and little breeze both days, only 14 kids participated in the camp this year. ”The heat was definitely a factor,” head coach Scott Worsham said. ”Two 90-plus degree days may have turned some kids and parents away.”
Worsham said he ensured that campers had ”lots of water, lots of breaks,” and those who attended gained valuable experience with football and enjoyed more frequent chances to run drills because of the smaller group.
”Although we had low attendance, the kids that showed up were fun to work with,” Worsham said. ”We had a great time.”
Key to the camp was, as in any sport, learning and mastering the fundamentals. Working with CHS coaches and returning players, campers practiced running pass routes and receiving the ball, taking a handoff, linebacker drills, protecting the ball and footwork.
”It’s great to have both coaches and current high school football players working with the younger kids,” Worsham said. ”It’s a great opportunity for kids not only to build football skills but to come together as a community and build relationships.”
Contests included longest pass, won by Logan Tripp, and longest kick, won by Jason Mayo.
Summer youth camps play a valuable role in building campers’ confidence and skills, Worsham said.
”(It’s) a great experience for all,” he said. ”I’m hoping that in the near future, through camps like this and the successes we have throughout the summer and upcoming season, we will see more and more interest in football and build (the CHS) program to a competitive, winning program.”
