Hendrick Hudson co-head football coach Mike Lynch, who is sharing the head-coaching responsibilities this season with long-time Sailor boss Paul Natale, knows that if he wants their squad to have a program that will play with the big boys of Section 1 over the long-term, a strong youth football program is a necessity.
Thus, the creation this year of the Cortlandt Youth Football and Hen Hud Football Skills and Drills Camp, which was held at the field adjacent to the school district administration building at 61 Trolley Road in Montrose.
The camp was held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday for kids in fourth, fifth and sixth grades.
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“This camp has been a long time in the making,” Lynch said. “We are trying to develop a connection with the youth-football league. You look at all the good Section 1 teams, the Harrison’s, Nyack’s, they all have great youth programs, strong youth organizations which lead to a successful varsity program. That’s what we are trying to get started here.”
Hen Hud offensive and defensive senior lineman Finbar Casey feels the same way Lynch does.
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“When we went out for this league, we never really had anyone come help,” Casey said. “So we want to bring back Hen Hud football and help out the younger kids.”
Senior fullback/free safety Dave LaFemina, a varsity teammate of Casey’s, said he took time out to instruct the younger kids because it helps make the program better and it’s important for the varsity players to be good role models for the younger kids.
Sophomore running back/linebacker Nick Sampogna, who is trying out for the varsity, said he showed up because he wants to help kids who want to be successful in football. Freshman offensive and defensive tackle Ivan Ward, who is trying out for the JV, said he assisted at the camp because of his concern for the next generation of Sailors.
“These kids are the future of the program and I’d like to see the program get better,” Ward said.
Bob Sampogna, president of the Cortlandt Youth Football program, wants to see the program get better as well. He feels that having an average of 60 kids show up for each day of the camp is a big step in the right direction.
“The program is just growing,” Sampogna said. “The kids are enjoying playing the sport and they want to get ahead. They also know that Hen Hud is going to make that turn and they want to be a part of the future. That’s what our shirts say, ‘Together, building the future.’”
Part of that future is sixth-grader Doug Smith, who was appreciative of the older players’ efforts to take time out to help him and his peers.
“They are trying to help us get ready for the practices and games,” Smith said. “That means a lot to me. It’s a very nice gesture.”
A gesture that Lynch hopes becomes even bigger next summer.
“This is a one-week clinic, we are hoping to expand it next year,” Lynch said. “We weren’t sure what the numbers would be, what the turnout would be but it’s been extremely successful and we were very pleased with it.”
