Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357 (w); 804-443-2703 (h)
Fax: 804-443-6781
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
St. Margaret's Houses 97 Players and Coaches for Paul VI Football Team Camp
Football players never have it easy. While most high school kids flock to the beach or river to catch one last ray of late summer sun, football players know August as the month they hit the practice field and don beacoup football pads in oppressive heat. "But that's what it takes to beat the best," reassures Head Coach Wade Keel whose Paul VI varsity football squad has spent the last week immersed in "Paul VI Football Team Camp" while living in Latané Hall at St. Margaret's School.
Freshman wide receiver Nick Price, a participant in Paul VI H.S. Football Team Camp, hits "the sled" during practice at Gilchrist Field on Thursday, August 12 at St. Margaret's School.
Coach Keel's squad has one goal for the season: winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Championship on November 20, 1999. From the first day of summer conditioning on July 26, the Panther coaching staff made it clear to their players that a championship season will be accomplished one game at a time, one practice at a time. In order to better the Panthers, Coach Keel located a facility where his players could practice for one week removed of distractions created by family and friends around Fairfax where team camp has been held at Paul VI High School since 1997. St. Margaret's quiet campus, situated along the Rappahannock River about a two hour drive from Paul VI High School, became the perfect spot for six days of intense pre-season practice August 8 - 13.
"The facilities here at St. Margaret's are great. We've enjoyed comfortable dorm rooms, a beautiful campus and athletic field, a fantastic dining hall with all-you-can-eat meals, and the gymnasium and pool where we entertained ourselves at night," commented Coach Keel.
The ninety males attending this year's camp first thought residing in the all-girls' Latané Hall for the week would be heaven on earth. However, Coach Keel quickly dispelled all rumors and made it clear that girls would be absent during the summer and reminded his players the primary reason for camp--to practice football.
On Wednesday evening, August 11, the team scrimmaged Essex High School's varsity team. The game, played on Gilchrist field, was the perfect opportunity for both teams to play with their line-ups and gauge early season progress. In the end, the Panthers claimed victory over Essex High School's first and second string varsity squad. "It was great to get away and scrimmage a new opponent. We had a great time and wish Essex luck this season," said Coach Keel who was very complimentary of the Essex program.
The Paul VI H.S. Panthers football team takes time to stretch, as a team, before leaving practice.
At week's end, the Paul VI coaching staff was happy to improve teamwork and camaraderie among the 90-odd players that participated in last week's football camp at St. Margaret's. As evidenced by the hard hitting going on at Gilchrist field, I suspect the fellows are well on their way to many WCAC victories this season.
Heck, maybe even a championship?
St. Margaret's is an Episcopal boarding and day school for girls grades 8-12 that operates under an open and non-discriminatory policy. Inquiries regarding admission may be directed to Kimberly McDowell, Director of Admission, at (804) 443-3357 ext. 3019. If your group is interested in renting facilities at St. Margaret's, contact Business Manager Nancy Smith at (804) 443 - 3357 ext. 3013.
