Bright and early out on the football field, middle school junior football players learn important ball-handling and throwing skills with Mr. Daniel Brodhead, a high school guidance counselor.

Any interested middle school football player can sign up and show up to learn about important football skills and get extra practice for the sport.

Brodhead was approved by the Board of Education with the recommendation of the Chief School Administrator to coach the practices at no cost to the Board. In other words, Brodhead volunteers to help out the players.

“If they want a chance to get better I figured I would give them the opportunity. I made it easy and volunteered, it’s a chance to give back to our players,” Brodhead said.

Brodhead was excited to work with the young athletes because he loves helping out any football players who wants the extra help.

The practices typically are once or twice a week at 6 o’clock in the morning. This is a time where most students are still asleep but Brodhead and the players are up early and ready to practice.

“Last weekend we had a friday off and we came in and threw on that friday. They don’t want to miss it and they are so excited,” Brodhead said. “It’s a lot of fun for me.”

Showing up early and devoting one’s time to a sport means the athletes learn about dedication and commitment. These practices also help to prepare them for high school football.

“We have a lot of guys who are serious. Some of the guys who have worked with me have had some success playing, but, more importantly, you play sports not because you are going to get a scholarship, but because you are supposed to learn about hard work,” Brodhead said.

Working with the football players gives Brodhead an opportunity to connect with the players and get to know them before they enter into the high school.

Players who truly want to improve and learn more show up and try their best, even though it is not mandatory and there is no attendance taken.

“They do it because they want to,” Brodhead explained.

Brodhead’s reward is to see the athletes excited and happy to learn more about football and to see them in high school develop into great athletes.

As for the students, they get a chance to get better and have fun before school and benefits them playing in the future.

“I love doing it,” Brodhead said. “It’s great to see athletes, no matter what the sport is, make a commitment and get outside their comfort zone to get better on their own.”