Area players try to impress at 7-on-7 camp

As you pull into the parking lot at Oswego East High school on a steamy early summer morning, you hear the sounds of cleats on pavement, hands on leather and screaming football coaches.

"Get to the football, son!"

"You're not paying attention...read the coverages!"

The salty disposition of the coaches is a function of the seriousness of the day--an opportunity for players from 14 area schools to take one step closer to the bright lights of fall Fridays.

"Half or more of our guys are competing at the varsity level for the first time," said Oswego East head coach Mark Green, who was hosting the day's passing camp. "Some will step up. Others will be a step or two behind."

Take Bob Smith. He's a 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior competing for the vacant Wolves quarterback position. Make the right read, hit a receiver in stride and he just might get a leg up on the competition.

"People get chances to get in there and make plays and show to the coaches that they can handle varsity football," Smith said in a tone that bleeds confidence.

The format on this day was 7-on-7, with seven games playing all at once on multiple fields. Aurora Central, Sandwich, Oswego, Geneva, West Aurora and Yorkville were all represented.

Offensive players worked on timing, rhythm and reads. Defensive players the same.

What about the lineman? They seemed to have the most fun --engaging in pugilistic bouts of tug-of-war, rolling over massive rubber tires and smashing tackling sleds all with a gusto that ignored the sweltering heat.

The camp was open to local college coaches -- Aurora University and Illinois Benedictine were among the schools invited.

Benedictine assistant coach Karl Hoinkes said showing up was less about evaluating players than shaking hands with coaches.

"I'm just seeing the coaches and showing my face," said Hoinkes, who coached at Oswego for more than 20 years. "So when they see me in the fall, they remember who I am."

With players competing in just helmets and shorts, attempting a complete evaluation would be a challenge for any college coach on this day. Still, the opportunity to watch up close hundreds of area student-athletes all within a Jay Cutler deep ball from each other is hard to resist.

"I'm no fool," said Hoinkes, standing next to group of Geneva players. "I'll write some things down when I get back to the car."

Having lost his all-area running back Michael Ratay, Vikings head coach Rob Wicinski expects he'll call more passing plays this fall. Standing on the sidelines during a break, he reveals the colleges hot on the trail of his returning quarterback, Brandon Beitzel.

"He's on some D-I charts," Wicinski said. "Marshall, Western Michigan, Miami of Ohio. Notre Dame has called."

With the quarterback job sewn up, Wicinski is asked what can be learned by Beitzel during a late June workout.

"Reading, timing, leadership," said Wicinski. "He doesn't stop learning just because he's in the driver's seat."

As Wicinski says this, a group of players re-enact a play near the stadium track, practicing its timing. Sure, it might only be June, but there is lots of homework to be done before the lights turn on in August.

Prep Football