Aspiring football players got an opportunity to show off their individual skills in front of their peers at the conclusion of Jaguars’ youth football camp.
The camp wrapped up its final exercise with the local NFL Punt, Pass and Kick contest on June 26 at Emerald Ridge High School. The first place finishers from each age group punched a ticket to the sectionals competition that will take place in October. Jason Britt (14/15 year-old division), Brandon Gaetaniello (12/13 year-old division), Griffin Myers (10/11 year-old division) and Alex Mathews (8/9 year-old division) earned first place in their respective age groups. The location of sectionals will be determined later.
Emerald Ridge junior offensive lineman Jeff Collier was present at camp, giving younger players pointers on the finer aspects of football.
“This whole camp gives younger players a chance to interact with the kids from the high school football team,” Collier said. “It’s a good deal and they’re out here having fun. It gives them a chance to get into the game. This is good opportunity for these young players.”
Jaguars’ wide receiver Michael Guimond couldn’t agree more with Collier’s assessment.
“I believe teaching is one of the most important things you can do. I want to be a teacher one day. This is extra fun for me helping out the younger guys,” Guimond said. “It’s fun getting kids excited about Jag football. It’s a tradition we want to instill. We want these kids to be excited about coming to Emerald Ridge. In the past, players who should have gone to Emerald Ridge have transferred to Rogers or Puyallup. We don’t want that happening in the future. We want them coming here.”
Emerald Ridge second year head football coach Vince Tarsi credited Emerald Ridge assistant coach Shawn Yohn for getting the punt, pass and kick portion of camp off the ground.
“Coach Yohn came with the idea of ending camp with the punt, pass and kick,” Tarsi said. “He thought it would be a little extra fun piece to add to the camp and it has been.”
Tarsi was encouraged by the number of athletes in attendance at Jags youth football camp.
“We’re seeing the community come together,” Tarsi said. “There’s 10 or 11 of our high school players volunteering their time coaching up the youngsters. They’re not only helping out the younger guys but they’re reinforcing the skills they are working on themselves.
Not every player in attendance was from the Puyallup region.
Beau Sparks made the trip up the I-5 corridor from Battle Ground to attend Jags youth football camp.
“My uncle is the head coach (Tarsi). He asked me if I wanted to come up and I said I did,” Sparks said. “I’m having fun.”
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