Chargers Camp Continues Without Carlock

[GrahamPride 10]

Chargers camp continues without Carlock

Posted: Wednesday, Jul 27, 2005 - 11:53:57 pm EDT

By BRIAN WOODSON

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

 

Glynn Carlock is a local coaching legend, having won more than 250 games and two state championships at Graham High School.

 

Much of that success can be attributed to the players produced by the Bluefield Chargers, a local pee wee and midget league football team that is celebrating its 25th year of existence.

 

Over the last two days, the Chargers football camp has been taking place at Graham, but the architect of so many wins with the G-Men has been unable to attend due to a sudden illness.

 

"This (camp) was very good for us last year. Coach Carlock and Junior (Carlock's son, Glynn, Jr.) were very enthusiastic about it," Hayes said. "They were looking forward to the same this year and for years to come.

 

 

 

"Due to an illness, they won't be there this year, but we kind of took it in stride and got some of the players to help."

 

Hayes and his brother, John, have been joined as instructors by G-Men assistant Lee Walker, former Tazewell head coach Dave Litz and several players in carrying on what the Chargers are all about.

 

"It's been around a long time. Most of the kids that have gone through Graham High School have gone there through the Chargers and we're trying to carry on the tradition," Hayes said. "Ultimately, these kids are going to be players at Graham anyway so we run the same system that (coach Carlock) runs at the high school.

 

"Hopefully by the time these kids are that age, they'll know what is going on and the coaches won't have to work so hard."

 

The late-July camp has been attended by about 40 kids, ages 7-12. The purpose is to have a good time while learning the basics of the game.

 

"We're just showing them the basic things about football," Hayes said. "Things they need to know when playing for a team like running, blocking and tackling.

 

"We get the players out there with them and the kids look up to the players. They hear their names all the time so they pay more attention to them than they do to us. It's a good time for us, and the kids are able to get together and play with their friends."

 

Football season is fast approaching. Camps like these are the backbone of what will eventually lead to a successful high school team. No one knows that better than Carlock himself.

 

"He was real enthusiastic about this. He knew these were his future kids," Hayes said. "He knows he's got some quality players out here and we want to carry on that tradition for years to come."