WüRZBURG, Germany — The 425 participants who completed the three-day DODDS-Europe summer football camp headed home Friday carrying a whole lot more than helmets, shoulder pads and sleeping bags.
“I learned a lot of basic skills of linebacking,” Brussels senior Jacob Williamson said. “It was nice to get instruction from guys you can look up to — guys who really know what they’re talking about.”
Friday’s final day of camp was highlighted by the selection of camp MVPs and the winners of competitions that included the 40-yard dash, vertical leap, a bench-press contest, a punt-pass-and-kick event, a lineman’s obstacle course, and an iron-man event.
A seven-on-seven team competition completed the session. It was won for the second straight year by Heidelberg, which sent 50 plays to the camp.
Camp MVPs were selected by position coaches, and those players went home with plaques.
“I learned a lot,” said co-MVP lineman Tom Tate, a senior at London Central. The other MVP for linemen was Brandon Simmons of Heidelberg.
“I wasn’t a very good offensive lineman last year, but this year I’ll be able to help the team there,” Tate said. “I learned so many different ways to block. I know what to do now.”
Learning was the main objective of camp, but it produced other benefits, according to Ramstein coach Glenn Porter.
“Conditioning is a big key,” Porter said. “In just a few days, these guys will be in uniform, and we have to be sure they’re in shape. This really helps.”
The camp ran smoothly, according to co-director Eric Mead of Würzburg. Mead and Marcus George of Ansbach put in four months of planning.
“We’re looking forward to doing it next year,” Mead said.
