AMHERST — When Amherst Youth Football President Mike Isabel pulled up to Amherst Regional’s football field with equipment in the back of his truck, some of the Hurricanes’ varsity players immediately ran over to help.
To him, it was a sign of what Amherst football is all about.
“Everybody talks about football is family, but when you see it, it’s great,” Isabel said. “It’s football that brings everyone together like that.”
The Amherst varsity football team hosted a one-day clinic for the town’s youth program Thursday afternoon.
Hurricanes coach Chris Ehorn hopes that the clinic helps youth players make meaningful connections with older players and inspires them to continue pursuing the sport.
“They are the future of Amherst high school football,” Ehorn said. “We want to get involved with them as much as possible and build those relationships to a point where one day they want to be a varsity player and help out the youth.”
During the clinic, the youth program’s Pee-Wee team ran their offense against the varsity’s scout team defense. The session gave older players an opportunity to coach and mentor the younger players.
“I think the mentorship is huge,” Ehorn said. “Those young players come to our games and by being able to practice with some of these players they get to know them and form a relationship. Then they are rooting for them on Friday night. They are coming to the games. Our guys are going to their games.”
Members of the varsity team relished the opportunity to give back and be a mentor for youth players.
“It’s great to be out there with the young kids because I remember when I was out there and starting in third grade,” senior Jack Nagy said. “It’s great because when I was their age we didn’t really do this. It’s nice that they can interact with the high school guys.”
The one-day clinic is part of a larger initiative put forward by coaches in the area. Across the region, other high school programs also put together a one-day clinic with their respective youth teams.
“It’s awesome,” senior J.B. Mills said. “I love getting out here and supporting the young guys… I hope their numbers continue to rise. They have had a lot of really successful teams over the years. It’s great to get out here and work with them. They are the future of the program.”
Hurricanes senior Tom Dion took part in the clinic alongside his eighth grade brother, Jameson.
“I am just excited to be out here,” Tom Dion said. “I haven’t played with my brother in a while… I’m excited to play with him.”
In the days before the varsity season starts, Ehorn went to youth practices the last few years to assist with coaching duties and organizing drills.
“It’s a positive thing. The interaction is really cool,” Isabel said. “We hope to continue this for as long as we can. It’s a good deal we’ve got going here.”
Gage Nutter can be reached at gnutter@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @