SAN BENITO — High school football workouts will get underway next week for the San Benito Greyhounds as the new school year quickly approaches.
But before the varsity hits the field, the sub-varsity athletes got first crack at the coaches during this week’s football camp hosted by the San Benito coaching staff at Bobby Morrow Stadium.
The camp, which started on Monday and concludes today, is for incoming seventh through ninth-grade students and serves as an introduction to the coaching staff and the program’s expectations.
“We’ve had a good showing with about 200 kids, but I know there are a lot more kids out there who can come in and learn a few things,” San Benito head football coach Dan Gomez said Tuesday. “We’re teaching basics and the foundation of football, while getting the kids acquainted with our coaching staff at the middle school and the high school.
“Whenever we get an opportunity to have some fun with our kids, it’s a plus for the program.”
The camp was divided into stations from linemen, backs and receivers, and secondary.
Players rotated from station to station and went through various drills with different coaches throughout the two-hour session that included regular water breaks.
Despite the heat, Gomez, who is in his second year as the ’Hounds’ coach, saw a lot of positives from the athletes on Tuesday.
“We’ve seen a lot of focus and a lot of kids who want to learn, do well and please us coaches,” Gomez said. “They’re doing everything we ask and doing it at a high level and that’s all we can ask for as coaches.”
With varsity players set to report to two-a-days starting Monday, this week’s camp allowed the coaches to shake the summer doldrums.
“This gets us going on the right foot and gets us going as Monday approaches with the big boys. It helps polish up our skills and knowledge of the game,” Gomez said.
“I love San Benito. So whenever we get to see our athletes, female or male, come out and compete, we love it.”