By CONSTANCIO MARTINEZ, JR.
Special to the PRESS
This past Wednesday, July 31, the Port Isabel Early College High School coaching staff held their annual two-day “Future Tarpon” football camp.
The free camp was established for kids ages five to incoming freshmen. It caters to those new to the sport of football and to those who have already participated at the junior high level.
At the start of camp, attende
es were registered and given a t-shirt. At the field, they were then separated into two different age groups. The groups were then introduced to offensive skills or defensive skills for the day. On day two, the offensive participants then switched to learn defensive skills, and vice versa.
The attendees were taught how to throw, run, receive and kick the ball. They also learned how to lineup in formation and run the play step-by-step in slow motion. They then ran the play at full speed to simulate actual gameplay.
As the first day wrapped up, the participants took pictures and were treated with watermelon slices.
Athletic Director and Football Head Coach, Tony Villarreal was pleased with this year’s turnout. “On the second day we usually have about 100 kids, and we were really close to that. We had about 90, so we’re hoping the next day to have more,” said Villarreal. “(the camp) helps the coaches get out of the cobwebs, to get out there coaching and teaching the kids.”
With Tarpon Stadium undergoing improvements, the camp was held at the nearby practice field. Those worrying about the mosquitoes needed not to worry as the staff took precautions by spraying the fields two weeks prior to the event, a nice bay breeze also helped.
The Port Isabel Tarpons will kick off the 2024 football season with a scrimmage against the Weslaco East Wildcats on Thursday, August 15 at Tarpon Stadium, gametime TBA.
