Before the varsity football team takes center stage, the Whitehall football program got a glimpse of the future during its annual youth camp.

The Youth Football Camp was held the first week of August and featured 50 kids, according to head coach Brian Gilbert.

Every year the football coaches lead these players who range from ages of 7-13 through a series of drills that helps get them acclimated to the way Whitehall football likes to get things done. The coaches sprinkle in fun activities as well during their 3 1/2 hours they attend the camp.

“We try to make it a fun learning environment,” said Gilbert.

The camp lasts four days and every year they get broken down into their position groups where they were instructed in offense and defense. Gilbert said this is where they get that valuable one-on-one instruction, whether it’s along the offensive line or in the defensive backfield.

Once they complete that portion, they participate in competition portion of the camp. Gilbert said that this phase features a mini combine which includes a 20-yard dash, pro agility drill, broad jump, three-cone drill, and a punt, pass and kick exercise.

They also play an Ultimate Football game. Gilbert said this is a game that rewards good team play in a fast-paced environment.

“You don’t tackle, you just keep moving the ball up and down the field,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert said the kids are divided into a college and pro division, with three teams comprising each division. In a fun wrinkle to the game, Gilbert said that players can be subject to trades, and someone may be playing for the Eagles one day (pro division choices were the Eagles, Jaguars and Titans), and the Titans the next day.

“When someone would come up to me and ask if they were traded, I told them that they would have to watch SportsCenter that night,” said Gilbert.

They also engaged in a Tug-of-War on the final day, bringing the camp to a close.

Gilbert said it’s also fun to look back at the group photos and see the players who have continued through the program and are now starting at the varsity level.

Some of the players who participated this year include some familiar names for those who follow Whitehall football including, Tommy Buskirk, Braden Marrero, Aiden Parvel, Matt Yadush, Finn Clary, Luke Gilbert, Zach Hartman, Brock Bender and Benjamin Hudak.

Gilbert said current varsity players helped at the camp and made the experience even greater for those in attendance. In the end, it was football infused with a lot of fun.

“At the end of the day, a lot of these kids learned a lot of football,” said Gilbert.