Marble Falls football hosts July camp

CAPTION: Mustangs head coach and quarterbacks coach Keri Timmerman illustrates the way he wants a hand-off given to Crawford Mattox (left) and Hayden Liscum during last summer’s Mustang Football Camp. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

The Marble Falls High School football program is hosting its annual Mustang Football Camp Monday-Thursday, July 28-31.

It’s for players in grades Kindergarten through nine. Cost is $60. People can either sign up at MFMustangs.org or in person at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, at Mustang Stadium.

Head coach Keri Timmerman didn’t mince words about his viewpoint on this event.

“This is our most important camp,” he said. “It’s our introduction to Mustang football.”

It’s especially important for the seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. They will be playing in the school district athletic program this fall. The camp will give them an introduction to the base schemes, get a crash course or refresher on the program’s terminology, and learn how the program wants its players to warm-up and cool down.

They’ll also be taught how to properly perform each drill, which mirrors what the sophomores, juniors and seniors already do.

For some the camp will serve as a refresher where they will go from one task to the next without a hitch. For others, it will teach them how to move quickly and efficiently so that when practices do begin for them, there’s not as much time spent illustrating what to do. Coaches would rather focus more on using practices for installation of the schemes and preparing for an opponent.

While these players are learning and competing, they’re also getting to know their coaches. The high school and middle school coaches will be in attendance. That includes new middle school boys athletic coordinator Zach Wagoner and coaches John Walton and Brian Moyer.

“It’s huge getting around those coaches,” Timmerman said. “I would say it’s important. The kids know that coach and sees him.”

As the players are working and learning from the coaches, the coaches are discovering plenty, too. They can see where a player’s natural abilities can best help his team succeed.

“It’s another moment for coaches to evaluate,” the coach said. “It’s a huge advantage.”

As coaches continue to prepare for the upcoming season — fall training camps begin Monday, Aug. 4 — the camp allows the freshmen to get used to the heat of that time of day. The camp gives coaches four days of data that help them as they begin to think about line-ups and who can best help the squad where.

The sport doesn’t take it easy on the players. Each side of the ball has 11 and getting those 11 to move in sync looks easier than what it may really be. In addition, there’s no guarantee the humidity won’t start rising.

That’s why coaches, including Timmerman, note people can learn a lot about an athlete who commits to playing.

“I’m excited,” he said. “We have a lot of really good kids and parents and support. We have to make sure we have kids who keep coming. We adapt at what we do. It’s hard to play football. It’s real easy not to do it.”

In other football news, Mustangs can pick up their equipment from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday-Thursday, July 29-31, at the field house. Physical are due Thursday, Aug. 31.

The second annual Midnight Madness practice is Monday, Aug. 4. Gates open at Mustang Stadium at 11 p.m. and with food, drinks and “swag” to the first 200 attendees.

CAPTION: Co-defensive coordinator Ryan Craven is one of several Mustang coaches who will be teaching during the Mustangs Football Camp. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro