Training GNH’s next generation

WINSTED — For the second year in a row, Wolverines Football and Cheer partnered with Gilbert/Northwestern/Housatonic co-op football to host a youth clinic.

The camp was four days July 21 to 24, alternating locations daily between Gilbert School in Winsted and Ann Antolini School in New Hartford.

GNH coaches and players ran drills for kids ranging from kindergarten through 8th grade — some of which mirrored those used by the high school team.

Athletes worked on agility drills July 23.Theo Maniatis

Wolverines youth football includes players from New Hartford, Barkhamsted, Winsted, Colebrook, Norfolk, Hartland, Canton, Harwinton and Burlington.Some players go on to play for Lewis Mills High School, but most become part of the GNH co-op team. Players from Region One were also invited to the camp.

“I just thought it would be cool to have the kids see what it’s like at the next level, what it’s going to be like to play with these guys,” said Tim Goff, president of the Wolverines.

Halfway through the Wednesday session, GNH head coach Scott Salius brought the group together to focus on the two parts of football he considers most important: tackling and blocking.

If nothing else, Salius hopes the younger and older players will connect.

Training involved two players racing each other to snag a towel.David Carley