IMA SPORTS

Maumee football is coming off its most successful season in more than a decade, and that success is showing up in various places, including how many kids want to play for the Panthers.

Last week, Maumee hosted its Friday Night Lights camp at Kazmaier Stadium for kids in grades 5-8. More than 30 kids attended the camp.

Panthers coach Evan Karchner said he’s very happy with the number of kids who want to play football — not just in grades 5-8, but from 3rd grade through seniors in high school.

“I think the effort we put in to connect with our youth and our recent success at the high school level has led to that,” he said. “Our youth program also does a great job making football the best part of our player’s day, which has also played a huge role in our youth and middle school numbers increasing.

“I am very proud of the steps we have taken over the last few years trying to link all levels of our program and influence kids in our community to play football.”

One of the biggest struggles Maumee had faced in the past is not only convincing students to play football but to play for the Panthers. Forming that connection with the younger players early helps build that bridge.

“We have one goal from our Friday Night Lights Camp, and that is to make football the best part of the camper’s day,” Karchner said. “If we can get 5th-8th graders out on our field on a Friday night in June, flip the lights on, get coached by our high school coaches and players and have fun, then that’s a huge step in getting them excited to play football when they get to high school. I believe this camp is a really cool experience for those kids and it is also one of our favorite camps as a staff and with players.”

After warmups, the campers went through various drills before splitting off into their position groups. Maumee high school coaches and players provided instruction and motivation throughout the camp.

Karchner said having the younger players on the field with the high school players gives them someone to look up to and provide even more buy-in.

“The middle school kids look up to our high school players,” Karchner said. “They want to be them one day, which is the goal. Getting the middle school players out on our field under the lights allows them to feel like a high school player and get to see their future. I think it’s a great experience for them and gets them excited for their future as a Maumee football player.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
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