NW Best Pound it out at Line of Scrimmage Camp It was a typical Summer week in Monmouth, Oregon. This small college town was all but empty as most students had left until Fall. Tractors droned as clouds of dust rose amongst the rows of new cut hay. On the edge of town the local Farm auction was gearing up at the fairgrounds. The big news around town was that local boy and graduate of Western Oregon University, Daryl “Mouse” Davis, was returning to Oregon to Coach once again at Portland State University. Other than that it was a quiet morning. I stopped along Main Street for a cup of coffee. It was going to be a really hot day. But in the distance I heard the faint sounds of whistles and a distinctive “Thud” could be heard as the real boys of Summer began their 3 day ordeal. The Western Oregon University Line of Scrimmage Camp was just beginning. I arrived to find this years Camp at full tilt right out of gate. The camp opened with 215 Offensive and defensive linemen from around the NW and as far away as Arizona, Alaska, and Kona, Hawaii. The Camp is unique as it features Coaches from around the NW all coming together to teach the finer points of play along the line of scrimmage. There was no lack of enthusiasm or hitting at this Camp. Often underappreciated, the line positions are generally considered the heart of the team; without which success can not be achieved. Camp Director Tim Bowman of WOU puts on this superb camp and had this to say “The camp is a great opportunity to develop as a player and network with Coaches that these young men may play for someday. This is a great group of players and coaches…it’s awesome. It really is”. Working both offense and defense the players are engaging and delivering contact on almost every rep. The camp featured and official SPARQ Event, and 8 Full Contact sessions 2 hours each. This all occurs around the spectacular setting that is WOU. The weather was brutally hot but water and hydration were a priority. The competition was excellent and players ranged in size but it was common to see 6’2” to 6’6” players upwards of 340 pounds going at it. The coaching in my opinion was excellent and included some of the best technique training I have seen. The coaching staff this year included: Ryan O'Malley, OC, Western Oregon University Aleki Pascua, OL, Western Oregon University Josh Manning, TE, Western Oregon University Camron Olson, RB, Western Oregon University Bob Beers, Personnel Scout, Houston Texans (Formerly w/ the Detroit Lions) Zach Tinker, TE / Asst HC, Western Washington (Formerly OL Coach) David LaSalata, OL, Pacific Lutheran University Jared Terrible, DL, Univ of Puget Sound Ian Falconer, DL, Lewis & Clark Nick Whitworth, RB, Idaho State University Tim Camp, OL, Eastern Oregon University Eti Ena, DC, Eastern Oregon University Steve Helminiak, HC, Southern Oregon University Stacy Collins, DC, Southern Oregon University Tim Price, DL, Southern Oregon University By Camps end we had several stand out recruits including: Robert Atoe: DT/OT SR: The Dalles-Wahtonka, Oregon: 337 lbs.: 6’3.5” Demetri Enesi: DE /OG SR: Westview HS; Beaverton, Or: 248 lbs: 6’1” Zach Kaahanui: DT/N/C JR: Central Catholic, Portland,Or: 260 lbs: 5’11” Keoki Mawae: OT/ML SR: RA Long: Longview, WA: 240 lbs: 6’6” Colin Kelly: SR: TE/OT Kelso HS, Kelso, WA: 250 lbs; 6’5” Gavin Drake: SR: DE/OG Central Catholic, Portland, Or: 250 lbs: 6’2” Camp Awards Went to: Junior awards went to Marcus Cuellar, Central HS, Joel Brunello, McMinnville HS, Paul Tuma, Southridge HS, and Zach Ka'ahanui, Central Catholic HS. Senior awards went to Keoki Mawae, RA Long HS (WA), Aaron Lenk, Graham Kapowsin HS (WA), Delvin Afusia, Dimond HS (AK), and Gavin Drake, Central Catholic. Watch for these players as well as al of the linemen in attendance coming to a Friday Night nearest you! All players excelled and the camp was a huge success. The camp also featured guest speakers, some great team competition, and excellent advisement about getting recruited by Colleges which I will cover in a follow up story. Players wanting to dedicate themselves to being the best can certainly take a step in that direction by attending the Western Oregon Line of Scrimmage Camp.
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