Early start at St. Paul youth camp

NORWALK — Summer break had barely started. But the footballs were sailing through the air, and intermittent whistles could be heard on June 5-6 at Contractors Stadium. The St. Paul football program continued a recent trend of an early summer youth camp. For many years, the camp was held in mid-July. Last year, it was in the second week of June. But this year, 47 participants went through various drills and worked on technique less than a week removed from the school year ending. "I think some of it for me being a teacher is the kids are in somewhat of a learning mode, still having just come out of the school year," second-year head coach Chris Doughty said. "We used to do the camp in July, and at that point the kids were still a month away from their season, and you worked around family vacations. "We figured, let's get it going right away and get some kids in some drills while it's all fresh, and hopefully they all retain it with the learning mindset still going on." The camp was held over two days for kids entering grades 5-8. Last season, the number was 48, and Doughty said that's a fair amount. "We're averaging about 10 kids per class, so that's a good goal," he said. "You'd like it to be a little higher at the youth level because you'll lose some kids over the years. "But being around that 45 range is usually pretty typical for a youth camp." The camp itself had the usual drills and emphasis on fundamentals. But Doughty said the big thing the coaches and high school players pushed on the kids was to learn all the positions. "They rotated through all the stations and weren't boxed in to one thing," he said. "They get exposed to every position and all the drills that come with that. "Our youth and junior high coaches come and see those kids compete in those drills to give them an idea of what may work best when their season starts." After many years as a player and assistant coach, Doughty said he continues to enjoy seeing the evolution of kids from the youth camp to high school — and beyond. "At this point, I have a couple classmates now who have kids coming up through the youth program," said Doughty, who graduated in 2009. "It's kind of cool to see people I went to high school with have their kids start getting into football and be able to play now, as well as some cousins and other extended family members also have kids in the camp." To that end, Doughty told the kids at the end of the camp that four years from now, they will be the high school players in grades 9-12. "That evolution is always cool to watch," he said. "Just that idea of knowing this group of kids will be your team in a few years." St. Paul was 6-5 last season, as it overcame an 0-3 start to earn a share of the Firelands Conference title and a first-round home playoff game. The Flyers graduated seven seniors from that team and will bring back quite a bit of experience in 2025, notably at the skilled positions. On July 10, St. Paul will join Keystone and Seneca East for a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage at Bellevue. The Flyers host passing scrimmages vs. Mohawk on July 17 and will host Margaretta along with Norwalk on July 23. The Flyers then host Keystone on Aug. 8 and visit Mohawk on Aug. 14 for the two scrimmages ahead of the season opener vs. Port Clinton on Aug. 23. "We'll do a couple camp days in June and pick things up in July after the holiday," Doughty said. "Things definitely will increase with intensity, and it's always an exciting time."