Incoming seventh, eighth and ninth graders are shown at the annual Greyhound Football Camp, which began Monday and will last the rest of the week. The camp is being held at Bobby Morrow Stadium beginning at 8 a.m. (Staff photos by Michael Rodriguez)
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Special to the NEWS
Football season is just around the corner, but that’s not news to the young men working hard and sweating through the last couple of days of their summer vacation.
The San Benito Greyhounds are conducting a freshmen football camp for all incoming freshmen and seventh and eighth grade athletes throughout the week of Monday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 4.
Approximately 190 future Greyhounds showed up early Monday morning for the start of the camp and participated in different drills to prepare them for the upcoming football season.
“What we’re trying to do is all basic stuff that they’re going to see when they start their first day of football, which for the freshmen will be next week, and for the junior high kids in a couple of weeks,” said Greyhound Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Spencer Gantt. “All of the drills that they are going to be doing on the first day, from footwork stuff to ball drills, and even some tackling drills.”
With the almost unbearable heat playing a factor into the kids’ exercise routines, Gantt expressed the importance of the young athletes staying properly hydrated.
“Before our workouts, we talk to them about proper hydration and nutrition, things that will get them through tough workouts like this,” Gantt said. “Anytime you’re dealing with the Rio Grande Valley and the heat, we always give them a little tutorial and we talk to them each day, before and afterwards, about proper clothing and how to beat the heat through hydration, stuff like that.”
If the number of participants in this week’s football camp is any indication, the future of Greyhound football is as bright as the early morning sun.
“We’re excited about our numbers. Numbers like that are always good problems to have. I have to get on the phone immediately and order more t-shirts, but again, that’s a good problem to have,” said Gantt. “We’re excited about what we saw out there from all levels, seventh, eighth and ninth graders. We just can’t wait to get started.”
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Aug. 3 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
Recent Comments