Proper technique in strength and conditioning drills was stressed during the football camp hosted by Chilton County High School on Saturday. (Photos by Anthony Richards)

Football is quickly approaching and kids throughout Chilton County were able to get a taste of it with a football camp held at Chilton County High School on Saturday.

The camp was organized by Reach 4 the Stars, Inc., which is a non-profit organization that was started by Chilton County High School alum Dee Frankl.

Nearly 100 kids from ages 8-19 took part in the camp, which was free to the public.

“Anytime that you can get the kids off of the couch is a great thing,” said CCHS head coach Brian Bradford said. “This was the first year we are able to incorporate the young kids with the varsity.”

Players put their vertical leaping to the test during a portion of camp on Saturday.

According to Bradford, players from both Verbena and Jemison participated and gave the camp a community atmosphere.

“Everything they are learning today are skills that will directly impact their fundamentals, such as footwork and hand placement,” Bradford said.

It was a homecoming of sorts for Frankl, who played football for the Tigers all throughout high school and graduated in 2008.

After high school, he continued his football career as a running back at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio and then in the NFL with multiple teams, including stints with the Cincinnati Bengals and Houston Texans.

“This will always be my hometown, I’m excited for the ability to give back,” Frankl said.

This was the inaugural camp held by Frankl in Chilton County, but something that he wishes to presume moving forward.

“It gives them the opportunity to learn from college or professional athletes and discover the things that they do on a daily basis,” Frankl said.

Frankl made sure to walk around to each drill to encourage and provide one-on-one teaching lessons for the participants.

“This grouped listened very well, which is not the case at most camps,” Frankl said. “They were very responsive and they came ready to work. That was a good thing to see.”