shs football camp endures the trends

Veteran Seymour High School head football coach Gary Householder says there could be multiple reasons why the 2008 SHS football camp has the second lowest turnout in the annual week-long summer camp’s 14-year history.
Householder said 47 young football players are participating in this week's camp where they're learning fundamentals, conditioning and sportsmanship from the SHS coach staff. The lower turnout than usual wasn't because of the threat of scorching summer heat, as has been the case the past few years, however.
Householder, who is going into his 34th and final season as Seymour's head coach, said he couldn't have asked for any better playing conditions for this year's camp.
"We've had good weather all week," Householder said. "It's been nice. It hasn't been humid and the sun's been out."
The Eagles' coach said the fact that three other high school football programs in the county—Sevier County, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg-Pittman—are holding their camps this week as well could be the primary reason that there are 13 less kids at this year's camp than were at last year's.
"In past years we’ve had more kids from Pigeon Forge and North View,” Householder said. “Those kids might have decided to camp closer to home this year. The three other county schools having their summer camps at the same time didn’t help our turnout this year.
"It could be the economy too," Householder suggested. "With gas prices being as high as they are now, some parents might have just decided to keep their kids at home this summer.

“This is the 14th year we've done it and this is our second lowest turnout,” Householder continued. “It’s the lowest number of kids since that first year we did it. We had around 40 kids that first year."
Householder said about 60 kids participated in last year's SHS football camp.
Another change in trends at the camp, according to Householder, is a growing number of younger campers coming out.
"When we first started (holding the summer camps) it was big on middle school-aged kids," Householder offered. "I've noticed that in past years we've had a larger turnout of younger kids. It's just kind of reversed."

Regardless of turnout numbers, high gas prices or weather, Householder says the campers that are participating in this year’s camp have been a pleasure to work with.

“There are some good young athletes out here,” the SHS coach added. “The kids are working hard, listening to the coaches and working to become better football players. All of our coaches enjoy working with these kids every year. They’re the future of the program.”