Atlanta football camp hits record numbers

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

Atlanta’s coaching staff hosted another successful free Summer Youth Football Camp on July 26 and July 27 for kids ranging from first to ninth grade between the two days at the Atlanta High School practice field.
Two years ago 110 area participants attended the camp and last year that number bounced to 125.
This year 77 kids attended the first day of camp and 51 gathered on the second day for a record total of 128 kids.
The coaches covered and taught the campers everything such as going through warm-up activities, learning respect for their coaches and each other and coaching them on football skills and drills related to Rabbit championship football.
The campers also learned several different aspects of the game, from passing and receiving, falling on fumbles before the ball reaches the out of bounds line, effective tackling, stellar defense techniques and correct formations.
The first through sixth grade campers competed in a punt, pass and kick contest for each grade level and each group ran the 40-yard dash.
Winners of the punt competition included first/second grade winner Hayes Highland, third/fourth grade winner Ty Waldon and fifth/sixth grade winner Brandon Sanders.
The passing winners were Dailen Collins, Jaden Rogers and Cameron Dickerson; kick winners were Collins, Luke Martin and Dickerson; and the 40-yard dash winners were Derell Sewell, Braylyn Rowe and Ahmanija Jackson.
The Defensive Hustle Award was given to Jaylen Finley, Terrence Young and Brendon Clayton; the Big Bull Lineman Award went to Micah Franco, Jeremy Alvarez and Art Cain; and the Good Hands Wide Receiver Award went to Kyson Sherman, Easton Owens and Josiah Hunt.
Atlanta Athletic Director and head football coach Matt McClure had this to say about the camp, “With the record turnout I believe it shows that kids are excited about our football program and the kids came prepared and ready to learn.”
“A couple of things we emphasize to the kids who attend the camp is to hustle and we try to instill a good work ethic for both the playing field and the classroom,” McClure said.