Alpena Wildcats Host Youth Football Camp

ALPENA, MI – The Alpena Wildcats football team shared their knowledge with the next generation of future Wildcats at their annual youth football camp.

Ask any athlete around and they’ll tell you about a memory in youth sports involving an older player who took the time to share their wisdom with them. That was the goal over at Wildcat Stadium as the team hosted the Alpena Jets for a football clinic. Varsity Head Coach Eric Mitchell and his players welcomed over 50 local kids to their turf. “We know these kids look up to our varsity kids,” he said. “When our varsity players were young, they did the same thing.”

The opportunity to coach the future of the Wildcat football program was equally as special to Alpena’s varsity players. Senior John Kurowski used to be one of those eager kids participating in youth camps. “You looked up to those guys,” he said. “Building relationships with them at camp became important to us.”

The Wildcat football team intends for the youth camp to serve as a feeder program. It’s a way to develop kids’ skills and teach them the basics for the next level. Eventually, the next level will be playing varsity for the Alpena Wildcats.

With all the advice being thrown their way, everyone involved focuses on one thing…having fun and enjoying the game. Alpena Jets players Connor and Easton Kauffman weren’t taking their time at camp for granted. “The older kids teach us about some of the stuff they didn’t already know,” Connor said. “When you play against kids your age, you’re ready,” said Easton.

The Wildcats and Jets seasons both begin in August. The varsity season kicks off on August 24, and the youth season is set for August 27.