The 2019 Putnam County football team and staff held its annual Mini-Midget football camp for three days from July 29-31, 2019. This camp encompassed players from grades 4-12.  The evenings would start off with the high school players and coaching staff teaching grades 4-8 various drills and skills related to each player's offensive and defensive position. Great detail and emphasis was put on proper technique and footwork.  Blocking, tackling and taking care of the ball are the key components of the sport, we made sure that this would be the main focus of the camp. Another key fundamental that should be recognized also is having fun. Although great strides were made through hard work and hustle, these players had a tremendous amount of fun. After an hour of drills and skills, each age group would then go with their coaches to work on the offensive scheme in order to be prepared for the Wednesday night Preseason Preview. 

Being together as one big group with the same goals and mindset is an awesome feeling. The sense of pride and confidence in being a Putnam County football player showed on every face for 3 days from youngest to oldest. There were right at 100 players in attendance for this year's camp. All age groups were represented well.  Unionville Hy-Vee Mainstreet provided watermelon for the conclusion of Tuesday night's camp which added to the excitement and atmosphere of the week. 

The younger players were not the only ones learning something these 3 days. The high school players learned quite a bit also.  For 3 days, these young men were coaches and mentors. They learned that coaching is not easy and you must have patience. They learned that you must try to empower and motivate while using a vocabulary that is positive and genuine.  As I stood on the sideline Wednesday night with the high school boys waiting for our turn to get on the field, I would routinely catch our older players looking out on the field at the younger ones. I could see the older boys taking pride in the fact that they helped to make these mini Putnam football players better at the sport.  Pride in being a Putnam County Midget is what this whole camp is all about. Go, Putnam!

There were several volunteers, community members and local businesses that helped make the camp week a success. I would like to thank all of you for your continued support. We all have a stake in the future of these young men and it's always amazing how we as a community come together to ensure the success of our youth. Thank you TEAM PUTNAM COUNTY! 

Clyde Bondy
Head Football Coach
Putnam County High School