Huskies camp sets record number
Youth campers tackle pads during a drill in the beginning of the camp’s final day. Campers at the Owatonna football camp were taught technique and game knowledge while being able to keep an emphasis on fun. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
The Owatonna High School football team held its 26th annual football camp this past week, drawing a record attendance of 267 athletes.
The camp, which ranges from grades three to 10, offers fun, competitive ways for athletes to further learn the game of football.
“It’s a great way to introduce the game of football. We have a lot of fun and we just build the excitement for the athletes,” said Owatonna High School Runningbacks Coach Matt Skala.
Athletes at the camp were introduced to drills and techniques over the course of the camp’s four-day schedule, providing the youth athletes with valuable knowledge of the game as the football season approaches.
However, for the Owatonna coaching staff, the camp also means more than just giving back to the community and spreading the game.
“The camp is also a great way for us as a staff to get a glimpse of what the future may look like. After a couple of days, our ninth and tenth graders put on their shoulder pads and helmets. It gives us an opportunity to focus on more position-specific drills and continue working with our guys,” said Skala.
Smiles were abundant out on the OHS football field over the course of the week as young competitors mixed with current and former Huskies players who led drills along with the coaches.
According to Skala, the annual camp is always a fun kickoff to the OHS varsity squad’s summer football camp as the town comes together in anticipation of what is to come in the fall.
Owatonna fans looking to see a glimpse of this year’s varsity team can see the Huskies compete in their first summer scrimmage on the road against the Prior Lake High School Lakers on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 9 a.m.