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The days at the camp were mostly the same. Wake up time was 7:30, breakfest by 8:15 and then out on the field by 9. An hour of stretching and warm up laps. Then two hours of general age groups drills. Finally at noon you were put into posistional drills and the coaches went over what was to be worked on for that day.
Then a one hour lunch. At two it was back out into the field for posistional drills until 7 and dinner time. At 8 it was out to the field one last time for two hours of night scrimage games. Finally at 10 you were allowed 90 minutes of free time before it was time to go back to the dorms for lights out by 12:00.
About one week in coach Douglas was inspecting the wideout drills.
There was 9 of them in that group including James. James had always been a good athlete but he lacked the formal training that was needed to play for organized teams. But to the delight of his coaches he showed himself to be a quick learner. He was learning how to read and run routes set up by the coaches and the quarterback. His movements were quick and sharp and on the money, but he was showing that he had a knack for knowing what to do and where to go if the play broke down or the defense was in a good posistion to foil the play.
As they broke for their 4 o'clock break coach Douglas pulled James aside.
'I have been watching you out there soon. Very impressive. Let me ask you something'
James was a pretty outgoing kid, but for some reason was always nervous when around this imposing man.
He continued in his slow drawl.
'Where are you planning on going to school next fall'
James answered him 'Central high school'
Coach Douglas narrowed his eyes and thought about that for a few seconds.
He then asked 'Are you looking forward to going there?'
James answered 'I don't really have much of a choice, it's just me and my mom and we have to take what we can get'
Coach Douglas nodded his head, he looked like he had gotten the answer he wanted.
'Your a hell of a talent, I would hate to see it wasted for a program who doesn't have the ability to fully teach you and train you.'
He then got to the point of his questions
'How would you like to come play for me next fall?'
James looked over at him and had a puzzled look on his face and then gave a nervous laugh.
St. Mary's would be a dream to play for and a dream to attend classes there. But it was a private school and way beyond the Rose families means to pay.
'We can't afford that. My mom does the best she can, but there is no way we could ever have the money for that.'
Coach Douglas smiled and asked
'If you had the money...would you want to attend St. Mary's?'
James shrugged 'Of course I would, still doesn't change the fact can't'
Coach Douglas put his hand on James shoulder and looked staright at him.
'You leave the money part up to me, if you are willing to come do the work needed in the classroom and on the field, then we will find a way for you to come next fall'
He continued 'About a week after camp breaks, I am going to come visit ya'll. Tell your mother I am going to come and I will call before I do. I will explain everything to her and if she approves then we you will be going to St. Mary's come September.'
Break time was over and coach Seymore was calling the wideouts back to the practice area.
Coach Douglas nodded and motioned for James to return to his group. James sprinted back out to area and for the rest of the day had the best drills he had since coming to the camp.
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