RCHS football players, get ready
Rappahannock County High School head football coach Mark Heinle reports that after successful winter and spring off-season weight and training programs for student players, summer programs are about to begin, “and the push for a successful first game is just a short three months away.”
The summer agenda includes weight training (June 16 to July 24); camp for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs (June 16-17) and linemen (June 18-19); Panther Camps for offense (June 23-25) and defense (June 26-28); and two other camps in mid-July, before the teams’ two-a-days start July 31 (through Aug. 8).
“The first two camps will be open to both varsity as well as J.P. players, allowing the coaching staff to teach the same basic fundamentals to each group,” Heinle said. “Though not all of these camps will be held each year, it was important to have them this year to ensure the boys have a good solid skill set when we begin two-a-days at the end of July.
“As a coach, I’m very excited about this coming season. We have a nine-game season, up from seven last year, a new offense, defense, uniforms and we’ve had over 40 boys already show an interest in playing this season,” Heinle continued.
“Looks like we will be in great shape as far as numbers go. I made a promise to the boys that if anyone wants to play football this year, they can’t show up the first day of school and say ‘Here I am’ . . . Quite frankly, by the time school starts we will already have our systems in place and know who our starters will be.”
Fundraisers to help pay for the new Panther uniforms and the team’s fall game in Chincoteague include a car wash from 8 to 2 this Saturday (June 14) and a spaghetti dinner/silent auction planned for 5 p.m. Aug. 9 at the high school, with items including massages, Virginia Chutney, a five-night stay at a timeshare and some surprises.
Heinle noted another first: The varsity football team will be putting together a fall sports program to be sold at each of the fall sports home games. The program will have individual and team pictures as well as action photos from each of the previous games.
“Several local businesses and individuals have already stepped up and purchased ad space in the program to help with our fundraising efforts,” he said. “I, along with the other coaches and players, wish to say thank you to them for their help and support.”
There is still time to contribute to the fundraising activities, including by donating items or services for the silent auction or purchasing an ad in the fall sports program (ads are due June 30). Contact the coach at mdheinle@gmail.com for more information.