If local high school football teams want to improve, developing talent at the youth level is necessary.
With that in mind, coaches from Montezuma-Cortez High School and Dolores High School hosted a youth football camp at Panthers Stadium, June 20-21.
In all, 22 players attended the two-day camp, which was open to players from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Working with Dolores High School head coach Chris Trusler and M-CHS head coach Casey Coulter and several assistant coaches, players participated in numerous drills designed to improve speed, strength and footwork.
Shortly after completing a drill that required players to weave through cones in a figure-eight pattern, eighth-grader Forest Pejsa discussed his goals for the camp.
"I want to improve on my footwork and agility," said Pejsa. "I want my skills to bump up a notch."
"I love football," Ray Christopher said. "I like the teamwork and how you can make friends."
While Pejsa spoke of his desire to improve his speed, 11-year-old Kyler Krob tackled dummies and then talked about why he decided to attend the camp.
"I love football and it's my passion," said Krob. "It's really physical and you get to take your anger out."
All in all, the camp turned out to be a success for all involved as players and coaches relished the experience of competing and improving over the course of two days.
"(The camp) went really well," said Trusler. "We were pleased with the turnout. We got really good feedback."
Although much work remains in order to restore glory to the area's once proud football programs, things appear to be on the right track.