Football team hosts second annual Edgar Jones Youth Football Clinic

More than 200 kids participated in the second annual Edgar Jones Youth Football Clinic on Saturday at Houck Stadium, which was hosted by the Southeast Missouri State football team.

The clinic was free to boys and girls who were in grades one through eight.

Edgar Jones could not make it out to Houck Stadium for the youth clinic. Southeast coach Tom Matukewicz said that Jones couldn't make it because he was doing some arbitration with the NFL and the hearings that Jones thought would be done in time were moved to Monday so he had to stay in San Diego.

The youth clinic lasted from 10 a.m. to noon, and it began with a huge huddle of kids, the football team and coaches on the 50-yard line.

From there, the kids went to the end zone and did some static stretching before they split off into groups.

The stretching ended and the kids were split into eight groups that went to separate stations.

Matukewicz said that the groups were split up based on size and age.

"One side of the field was offense, the other side of the field was defense and then a kicking station," Matukewicz said. "There is different blocking, tackling, catching and throwing drills all within those sides of the ball."

Senior wide receiver Paul McRoberts said he was with the receivers, kickers and running backs in the left corner of the end zone.

"We just had them running through the bags and catching the ball," McRoberts said. "Basic wide receiver drills, using their hands, looking the ball in, not moving until the ball moves and things like that. Discipline and getting them ready."

Junior offensive guard Garret Baker said he was at the offensive line station.

"We were hitting the bag, scooping and doing a touchdown celebration," Baker said. "Just something real fun for them."

Baker mentioned that when the older kids came around, they made the drills more of a learning experience for them.

While all the kids were participating in drills on the field, many of their parents spectated from the bleachers. Some parents went down and watched from the sidelines.

There was a concession stand open for those who wanted a snack or drink while they watched the kids run around on the field.

Throughout the day the kids were given two water breaks. Once all the kids rotated through the eight stations the day ended.

All of the coaches, players and kids got together in the end zone for a group photo. The kids took off running for the other endzone when all the photos had been taken. They then all met at the 50-yard line again for a final huddle.

After the youth clinic, Kiwanis had provided free hot dogs and snacks inside Houck Field House.

"It's fun to get out and play with the kids," Baker said. "Just trying to put a smile on their face and make sure they just really have a good time because that's what its all about."

Baker mentioned it was cool how some of the kids that came last year also participated this year.

The youth clinic really brings the team together, Baker said.

"This is good for the team and letting the community know that we care about the younger kids and everything brings us together as a whole," Baker said.

McRoberts added that he didn't have an opportunity like this when he was younger.

"It's beautiful, man. Getting a chance to come out here and teach kids something that I didn't have the opportunity to learn," McRoberts said. "Seeing the smiles on their face, its a blessing that these kids get to have something like that and I love it."

Matukewicz said that there will be some changes to the clinic next year.

"We are going to open it up next year and it's actually going to be called the football alumni youth camp," Matukewicz said. "Anybody that has played football at Southeast, that is a former letterman we are going to try and invite them back to try and help be a part of this from next year on."

Baker said that sports is all about having fun and that the youth football clinic is all about the kids getting out, getting active and really just having fun.