Titans minicamp cooks up excitement for season

There were hamburgers on the grill and football on the gridiron July 9 as the Lorain High School football team held a mini-camp at George Daniel Field.

For many, it was a first look at the 2018 team and the new artificial turf surface of the Home of the Titans.

“We wanted to be here on the field,” said organizer Michelle Hilko, a Lorain High School staff member who assists the football team with fundraising.

Team supporters hosted a cookout with hamburgers, hot dogs, potatoes, coleslaw and drinks. It was a good way to start to get the community excited for football, Michelle Hilko

“Amazing, for our city, for our kids, all of the above.”

— Michelle Hilko, Lorain High School staff member

said.

This summer, Titan faithful have stopped by 2601 Oberlin Ave. to watch the conversion of George Daniel Field from grass to artificial turf. It was a project of Browns Give Back, a commitment to help youth football by Cleveland Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.

It appeared the minicamp and barbecue were the first organized gatherings at the new field, although Michelle Hilko noted a formal dedication will take place in September.

Her husband, Lorain High School ninth grade academy director Bryan

Hilko, manned the grill. The group sold out of 150 burgers and 156 hot dogs.

The Hilkos’ daughter Hannah will be a Lorain High School senior this school year and their daughter, Mia, a first year soccer player, will get to kick on the new George Daniel Field surface this year.

Spectators took their dinners to the stands to watch drills led by head coach Dave McFarland and his staff. “I like what I see,” he said. The camp focused on “alignment assignment,” with the players learning where they should be, when, and who to cover, McFarland said.

“It’s hard without actual pads on, so we came out, we did some individual stuff,” McFarland said. “We’re trying

to get everybody equal reps right now, just teaching them our basic schemes, where they line up, what their assignment is.

“When we get to football then, we’re ahead of the game,” he said.

McFarland introduced quarterback Jordan Jackson, who will be a junior for the 2018-2019 school year.

“Everybody is going hard, running on and off the field, hustling, doing what they’re supposed to do,” Jackson said. He recalled a team visit to Ohio State University; McFarland told the team to practice like the Buckeyes.

After two seasons making the playoffs, Jackson predicted the Titans will go far in 2018.

The new playing surface made a great first impression.

“Amazing, for our city, for our kids, all of the above,” Michelle Hilko said about the turf.

The team members are excited for the new turf, said Marcus Smith, father of senior middle linebacker Cairo Smith. He watched Cairo from the stands with his daughter, Kailani, an LHS sophomore who will be president of the pep club this year.

On the turf, the players feel a little faster because they get more bounce in their steps, said Marcus Smith, who also has experience coaching football.

“They’ve been really excited about playing it,” he said. “Plus, the city’s excited about it because we get to host some playoffs. Get some exposure for the

city. I love it.”

“It’s amazing,” Kailani Smith said.

“It’s a beautiful field. What a difference from when we used to come here, right Jerry?” Cheryl Evans said to her husband.

“The field looks great,” said Jerry Evans Sr. They are the parents of Denver Broncos player and Admiral King High School alumnus Jerry Evans, and were out to watch their grandson, Zachary Evans, 17, an upcoming senior who plays wide receiver, linebacker and safety.

Jackson said he has played on artificial turf before, but never in a home game in Lorain.

To see the crowd come out and experience the new field, “it’s like a dream, for real,” he said.