Being prepared for the upcoming football season is important to both players and coaches at Falcon High School. To be in tip-top shape, the team has lifted, practiced and participated in a football camp in Kearney, Neb. So, what actually goes on at football camp?The purpose of camp in Kearney is to go over new plays, practice in full pads and scrimmage with other football teams. Or, as Josh Keitel, a linebacker and senior at F.H.S said, “Kearney is a full contact football camp that allows us to start with a bang. We mold and get comfortable with our fellow teammates: eat, play and sleep football!”The intense schedule, rigorous practicing and scorching hot weather take a toll on the players. Luckily, with the tiring schedule, there were no serious recorded injuries, only a few sprained ankles.The schedule of the four-day camp starts off with breakfast, followed by a team practice. After the team practices, they participate in Oklahoma drills, which are a competitive blocking and tackling exercise.After the drills, the tired team heads to lunch and then they scrimmage with other football teams until dinner time. As if the day wasn’t long enough, the team goes back to the field and plays seven-on-seven. At 10:30 p.m., it’s lights out. At 6:30 a.m., it starts all over again.”The great part about Kearney is that the team not only progresses physically, but bonds emotionally, allowing them to work better as a team,” said Norman Dean, an inside linebacker and senior at F.H.S.Every Wednesday, the team’s specialists get together for seven-on-seven practices at Garry Berry Stadium. Teams including Rampart, Liberty and Doherty high schools work on their offensive passing and defensive coverage skills. Come rain, snow and sleet or shine, these athletes practice for at least two and a half hours.Along with seven-on-seven practices and Camp Kearney, weight lifting plays a large roll in preparing for the upcoming season. “We all need to become bigger, faster, stronger,” said Miles Breske, an outside linebacker and senior at F.H.S. Workouts consist of upper body, lower body and cardiovascular exercises, which are intended to increase strength, stamina and endurance. The players show hard work and dedication in hopes of having a better season than last.With a finishing record of three wins and seven losses, the season was rocky. Under head coach Jason Catron there will be a number of new highly qualified coaches. Because of Catron’s past experience as a quarterback coach, it is expected that Falcon’s passing game will be pristine. “Let’s not forget that the best offense is a good defense,” Breske said. “Naturally, our defense will be a priority.”The season officially starts Aug. 15 and, after all the hard work and effort put into summer lifting, practicing and camp, many expect the upcoming season to be successful.Many of the seniors hope to make it to state or maybe earn a football scholarship and continue their passion for football throughout college.
