Marble Falls youth stampede to Mustang Stadium to throw, catch pigskins

CAPTION: Former Baylor University and NFL quarterback Brad Goebel passes around some of his personal helmets to a gathering of young football players while talking to them about the sport and what it takes for success. Courtesy photo

Area youth are spending part of their weekend meeting at Mustang Stadium to do something most adults used to do as children — spread out to play catch with a football.

The idea came soon after Keri Timmerman was named the Marble Falls Independent School District’s athletic director and football head coach. Nicholas Wood, who is known as the president of Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheer, and resident Brad Goebel met with Timmerman to ask if he’d be willing to unlock the stadium doors for them.

His answer was yes.

Once word spread about the gatherings, athletes of all ages have joined, Wood said. The gatherings aren’t in association with Marble Falls Youth Football and Cheer.

“Looking at the community involvement, the number of dads and the kids showing up, it’s been great,” he said, noting anywhere from 80 to 120 individuals are attending.

The children also vary in age, but most of the younger players know the names of the older players. They’re developing rapport with one another and all are working to get better, Wood added.

“This is a community rallying around football and getting better. The kids are excited to throw the ball.”

That big number of attendees allows them to break into groups of at least 10 and set up individual battles between receivers and cornerbacks where the quarterbacks are working on their mechanics. The organizers also take the opportunity to talk to the youngsters about setting goals, enjoying the sport, preparation and other lessons they can apply to other parts of their lives.

“It’s great,” Wood said. “Our kids haven’t thrown the ball in years. We’re getting to know one another. It allows our youth numbers to be higher. Those little kids look up to those big kids. It shows our younger kids where they can get to. It’s literally open to anybody, from Kindergarten all the way through high school.”

They’re learning eight different routes, and the quarterbacks are putting in great work.

“We’re getting comfortable throwing the ball cause our guys haven’t done it,” Wood said.

Goebel, who was a Baylor University quarterback and played in the NFL, brought his helmets one Saturday to let the players get a closer look. Marble Falls graduate Ryan Becker, who was a tight end at SMU and signed to play for the Atlanta Falcons and was with the Orlando Guardians of the XFL last year, also has spoken to the youngsters.

“Not many towns have that,” Wood said. “That’s a big deal. That’s something they aspire to do. Brad gave game cards to the kids.”

One speaker they especially enjoyed was Timmerman, Wood said, noting neither he nor his coaches are allowed to do more than observe as the children play. By rules of the University Interscholastic League, the high school coaches aren’t allowed to coach the kids.

“He came out and talked to the kids,” Wood said. “He has to let us go in. He wants the coaches to follow the UIL rules. He’s willing to coach us. (The players) want to show off for the coaches. It makes it so much fun.”

About 15 dads also help as “dozens and dozens of kids” play.

Wood said there are no plans to stop meeting. They’ll be at Mustang Stadium at noon Saturday, Feb. 17.

“As long as the boys show up, I’ll keep going,” he said. “Our coaches want to work with them.”

Wood said he thought about canceling the event on a particularly cold weekend recently. After all, the temperatures were in the 20s. So he called a buddy to tell him.

“‘You can’t not do it,'” Wood recalled hearing. “‘You have so much momentum. If you take a Saturday off, where will those 10 kids who want to be there go? If you have it, they will never take another one off.’ We held that thing in 27 degrees all layered up. It ended up being sunny and not windy. We had 70 kids. How cool is that?”

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CAPTION: Marble Falls Independent School District athletic director and football head coach Keri Timmerman addresses the young football players on a recent Saturday. Courtesy photo