Football spoken here

A four-day Portales Rams football camp wrapped up on Thursday leaving coaches impressed with the progress made by the campers.

“They have come a long way,” said Rams football coach Andy Correll. “They were very receptive and worked hard.”

There were 44 participants in the camp, which was divided into two age groups.

“We kept it fairly fundamental,” Correll said. “To see the improvements from day one to Thursday was outstanding.”

The Rams football coaching staff and varsity football players provided the coaching.

“I think the kids learned a lot with us out there,” Rams senior Devon Stenson said. “We were able to relate to them because not too long ago we were that age.”

“It was pretty awesome working with the coaches and players,” camper Dustin Rutherford said. “They helped me learn some skills for receiver and defensive end.”

Correll said the focus of the camp was to work on the fundamentals important to the game.

“This camp gave me a lot to work on,” camp member Tyler Mehl said. “It was great that the varsity players were out here to help us.”

To incorporate their new skills, the campers divided into two teams, red and yellow, and played a game of flag football.

The coaches took to the sidelines and interjected when a big play or mistake was made, while the coaching responsibilities for the two teams fell on the varsity players.

 At the end of the camp, Correll addressed the campers on what is needed to be a great football player.

“You need to have big heart and work hard,” Correll said. “You want to have fun while you are out there, but always give it your best.”