Morgan County High School’s football team hosted its Pipeline Camp last week, and more than 50 kids attended.
The Dogs and the coaching staff hosted children ages five through 12 at the three-day camp, which ran last Monday through Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Billy Corry Stadium.
The “Pups” learned a lot at the camp.
“It’s huge for the community, just to make those connections with the kids in the elementary and primary schools,” Morgan County head coach Clint Jenkins said. “Many young kids in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade attended. It was great.”
Jenkins thought the best part of the three-day camp was seeing his players interact with the younger kids. He acknowledged that the high school coaching staff was there to help, but his players mainly ran the drills.
Quarterback Davis Strickland and tight end Drew Ainslie went through passing drills with the Pups, instructing them to run downfield past opposing defenders to get open. A pair of seniors, outside linebacker Draco Frazzitta and wideout Jaylen Elder, worked with the campers during speed and agility drills.
Many of the Morgan County players attended the Pipeline Camp as kids and looked up to the older players as Pups.
“For our kids to get out here and get to coach them, it was special,” Jenkins said. “They got to make the connection with the young kids. This camp is a huge deal to the community every year. It’s a look at the future.”
At the end of each day, the Pups met with Jenkins and the staff. He taught the campers the program’s core values.
Jenkins shared what it meant to be a football player at Morgan County and said the kids bought in every day.
“I talked about, for example, what it means to be blue-collar. What it means to work hard,” Jenkins said.
Morgan County’s players also spoke to the kids, sharing their experiences about working hard and being a Dog.
The Pipeline Camp, run by the Morgan County Recreation Department, was open to residents and non-residents. Its purpose was to connect the community's kids with the high school’s players.
Jenkins hopes the kids who attended the camp will soon become players teaching the next generation of Pups.
“It’s a great thing for the community,” Jenkins said. “I am beyond excited about next year.”