By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
KEIZER, Ore.– For the first time since their new turf field was installed, the McNary Football team got to test it out.
But instead of a practice or a conditioning session, that first time on their new turf involved an annual tradition:
Kids Camp.
Monday was the first day of the three-day camp that’ll finish up on Wednesday and Friday, and giving the Celtic program an opportunity to give back to the community.
“It’s great to see. The numbers improved from last year, we got more kids signed up and out here. It’s awesome to see and I think that’s a testament to the coaches and the kids and to the Keizer community,” said McNary Head Coach Josh Riddell. “Just getting out here and having some fun, playing a little football.”
The camp allows the current McNary football players to coach up the campers, from K-8 split up in groups of incoming K-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8, and allows the Celtic football players to adjust coaching up the kids just based on the age-group.
It’s a laid back and fun thing to do entering the home stretch of the Summer training season with Fall Camp right around the corner.
“It’s really awesome…if we start now, they’re going to be great and I want this team to be great. I care about the program,” said Isaiah Ratliff. “It just means so much for me because I see the stuff we do here in practice and just letting them know what they’re going into the future. They’ll have great coaches, great people and we’re showing great leadership and letting them know what they’re going into the next few years.”
The McNary football team will head to Liberty on August 28 for a jamboree before opening the season on September 4 at home against Corvallis.
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
