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closeSummer fun hits the gridiron at Big Blue football camp
Rogers coveted summer football camp sees large contingent of attendees lace up their cleats on South Hill
Shaun Scott
Words of encouragement echoed from all corners of the practice field on the third and final day of sixth annual Rogers High School’s Big Blue football camp.
Rogers current varsity and junior varsity players jubilantly cajoled aspiring Rams players through a plethora of drills and activities, providing positive reinforcement to close to 90 players on the field.
Rogers Rams head football coach Gene Bowen praised his players for putting in quality time with the youth of the community.
“One of the things we teach in our program is the importance of sacrifice,” Bowen said. “These older guys are like big brothers to these kids out here. The parents really like it and our athletes enjoy it too. There’s a lot of positive energy.”
Players between fourth and ninth grade laced up their cleats for camp.
“Most of the players are from the Puyallup area but we have guys here from Burien, Tacoma and even some from out of state that are here on their vacation,” Bowen said. “We’re focusing on basic fundamentals at camp. It’s all about the kids. We want them to leave here and go home with a passion and joy for the game. We want to show them how much fun football can be.”
In addition to a wide assortment of drills, players were divided into 22 separate teams for a 4-on-4 tournament. Each team competed in 10 contests over the three-day camp.
Fifth grader Joe Roslie, who has played football for the past three years, didn’t want to come off the field at any point, showing his competitive streak during one of the 4-on-4 games.
“I really like playing football,” Roslie said. “These games are the best part of camp.”
Rogers sophomore-to-be Shawn Bowen said he enjoyed the challenge of coaching football for the first time.
“I’m not used to coaching younger kids so this week was kind of a new challenge for me,” Bowen said. “This is my first year here as a coach at Big Blue camp. It’s fun seeing the kids go through this. I went through this camp when I was young and now I’m doing the teaching.”
Junior defensive lineman Andrew Ahching, who moved to Puyallup one year ago, attended Big Blue football camp for the first time.
“The great thing about camp is that we have to chance to show these young players how to play with class,” Ahching said. “We’re showing them how to play like Rams.”