Coach Tony Verducci and staff welcomed more than 70 athletes to the 2009 edition of Cardinal football summer camp. Wesley and Willliam Rush, 7th graders from Potomac Middle School in Woodbridge like what they see at the camp. “It’s good for improving our fundementals,” said William, a linebacker and running back for Potomac Middle and the Dale City Bengels. “I was surprised it was four hours long though,” added brother Wesley, a five year veteran of organized football and rising 8th grader.
The camp focuses on the fundementals and teaches individual skills. It is also about attitude, according to Verducci. “We scored over 80 points in our final two ballgames last year. Stealing a line from Taylor Swift’s comments last spring, we want to be ‘relentless’ in our attitude this season. As we get a second season in the spread offense, with this very talented group of players returning, we want to be relentless on both sides of the ball.” Coaches agreed with the third year head coach that this is a very athletic group of youngstes at the camp. “They can run” offensive coordinator Ed Malinowski observed during the second day of camp.
Boys learn the proper technique to warm up and stretch, then break into smaller groups where they begin with stance and body positioning. From balance to technique the simplest tasks are the focus of the early periods of camp. Gradually drills are taught, conducted, and critiqued. Lars Anderson, a rising freshman from St Mary’s School in old Town Alexandria, said he has hasn’t played organized football but the experience has made him convinced he will be back in August. “I didn’t expect so many guys to be here. My mom told me there was a football camp at Ireton and I decided to give it a try.” A veteran lacrosse player, he thinks his future may be as a lineman at Ireton. “I am meeting new guys every night, and I am having fun here.”
The Cardinals offer a youth camp, Football Fundementals, July 27-30, for boys ages 5-9. A “non-contact” evening camp for middle school students that will expose them to offense, defense, and special team techniques under the watchful eye of the Ireton football staff. Information and enrollment forms are online at www.bishopireton.org
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