Brandon’s summer youth football camp once again reached new highs in participation levels under fourth-year head coach Ron Gill.
A total of 55 campers were on hand at the clinic, which took place Saturday, June 17 at Brandon High School, 1025 S. Ortonville Road, Ortonville.
‘Every year we’ve done it, it seems to grow and get bigger,? Gill said.
Campers, when asked to select which position they would like to learn, were asked to pick their first and second choices from the following positions: quarterback, running back, linebacker, wide receiver, offensive line and defensive back.
Although Gill said running back had the most participants at the camp, each position was well-represented. ‘We had a pretty good balance,? Gill said. ‘We were able to get everyone into their first choice of positions.?
One significant difference between this year’s camp as opposed to past years, Gill said, was the one-day format. In past years, the camp lasted two days, but with many campers having busy summers, the staff decided to make it a one-day camp.
‘We take the same amount of time and put it into a one-day session,? Gill said. ‘We’re trying to help families out.?
As in past years, the youngsters at each position station were videotaped, and the coaching staff reviewed those tapes with the campers afterward.
Brandon junior varsity football coach Ed Stermer was one of the instructors at the camp, working with the wide receivers.
‘I think the camp was an big success,? Stermer said. ‘A large majority of the players who attended were Junior Blackhawk players who in a few years will be high school age…The Junior Blackhawk organization should be thanked because they totally supported the camp, which will help promote football in the Brandon community.?
One of the youngsters at the camp was Ryan McCanham, 10, of Brandon Township, who has played running back with the Brandon Junior Blackhawks for two years, and is currently on the JV Junior Blackhawks team. He took part in the running back station at the Brandon camp.
He said one of the most important things he learned was how to switch the ball properly.
‘Last year, I never switched what hand the ball was in,? McCanham said. ‘At the camp, they taught me how to do that.?