2012 Warriors
Rocky Radcliff learns line technique from University of Delaware coach Gregg Perry at the National Wing-T Camp held last weekend at Tehachapi High.
Photo by Michael Duffy, The Tehachapi News.
Posted June 19, 2012 by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News. Mountain Football Learns From The Best
For nearly a decade, Tehachapi has had the unique opportunity to get their season off on the right foot by learning the wing-t offense from the best coaching minds in the nation at the National Wing-T Camp.
Only five high schools were given the chance to be a National Wing-T camp host this season, with Tehachapi joining West Deptford-New Jersey, Escalon-California, Caravel Academy-Delaware, and Lenape Valley-New Jersey as sites for the wing-t instruction.
"These camps we teach the offense but really it's about building relationships," said Verbit. "It's how we started eight years ago. It was a chance for coaches across the country to get together for a short period of time. It's a wonderful group to be associated with."
Some of the best wing-t coaching minds were at Tehachapi's disposal this past weekend, with two notable wing-t icons in Mark Loureiro (22 years of experience and California state champion in '93, '96, '10 with Escalon HS) and Randy Blankenship (24 years of experience, 217 career wins) and considered the founder of wing-t in the central section with Clovis West High School.
"We feel that we have the best wing-t coaches in the nation that coach at our camps," added Verbit.
Four high schools attended the camp in Tehachapi, with over 180 athletes participating in the instruction. High Schools in attendance along with Tehachapi were Sobrato-San Jose, Bakersfield Christian and San Dimas.
"It's a great opportunity for our guys," said head coach Steve Denman. "The players learn to function as a unit and camps like this bring your team closer."
Mountain Football had three teams during the camp, participating in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 thud scrimmages, 1-on-1 dive reach, pass and rush protection and down and distance situational drills.
"Steve Denman and his program have been with the camp for many years, traveling to Fallbrook and La Jolla, and he and Tehachapi have always been tremendous hosts," added Verbit. "We always look forward to coming here."