Sports
Local Youth Go "All In" for Football Camp
The "All In" Football Camp, hosted by Plant High football coach Robert Weiner, was a big success - with fierce competition, special guests and loads of fun.
Plant High School football coach Robert Weiner hosted his second “All In” Football Camp earlier this week. Over 70 youngsters from sixth to ninth grade attended. According to wide receivers coach TJ Lane, the numbers were up from last year.
It's no surprise.
In addition to the Plant coaching staff, several players on the team volunteered their time. As a result each camper got a significant amount of individual coaching. According to Lane, between the Plant coaches and players, it was about a one-to-four camper to coach ratio.
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The camp was divided into three age groups (6th through 8th graders), and campers participated in individual position drills, a 7-on-7 competition, and regular touch (11-on-11) football games.
The drills taught each position different skills, while the 7-on-7 competition pitted defensive backs coach Bo Puckett (calling defense) against wide receivers coach TJ Lane (telling the receivers which routes to run). There were 20 pushups at stake so the competition was fierce.
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The camp featured guest speakers USF quarterback Bobby Eveld, and wide receiver Derek Winter – a member of the Plant 2006 State Championship team who was also on the Auburn 2010 National Champion team.
All campers were fed lunch between the 7-on-7 competition and the speaker portion of the afternoon – before the showdown to close the camp.
Coach Weiner had some profound parting words for the campers.
"It's not so much about where you go, but what you do when you get there," he said. "I hope you learned something about football and about life and, most importantly, that you had a good time.
Several awards were handed out for the MVP of each position. Then overall MVP awards were given out. Chris Galdone won the younger group award, while Clark Miller won the older group award.
Then Coach Weiner handed out the "Link in the Chain" award, which is intended for the best and most selfless participant, for the camper that displayed the best sportsmanship. The award went to Kyle Trina.
Coach Weiner left the young athletes with one of his most popular expressions.
"It's amazing what we can accomplish when no one cares who receives the credit."
