Senior Davon Mullins goes high to snag a pass during Tuesday's second of three practices. (Ed Wright photo)

Rocks go camping to build chemistry and skills for success

BY ED WRIGHT
Aug. 10, 2010, 11:15 p.m.

  The Salem football program's path to team unity, top-notch conditioning and, ultimately, success during the fast-approaching season is a narrow, dirt road that snakes through a secluded section of the Irish Hills.

  The road leads to Sauk Valley Resort, a facility located in Brooklyn, Mich., that is stocked with dormitory-style cabins, a cafeteria and four full-sized football fields.

  What it doesn't offer may be just as important to kick-starting a high school football team's season - computers, TV's and cell phones.

  "With the program's attitude change, getting back to basics and the team building we're going through, the only way you can really do that - especially when you're rebuilding like we are - is to just get away like we're doing this week," said second-year year Salem head football coach Kurt Britnell.

  "Once we decided we were going to go somewhere, I looked around and called some colleges before I came across this place. A week prior to me calling here, another team bailed out, so it worked out perfect. It's like it was meant to be."

  Salem is one of four high school football teams that are calling Sauk Valley home this week. The Rocks' practice field is flanked all around by sky-high pine trees and a monstrous hill that could double as an X Games motocross ramp, but is used instead for a daily, grueling conditioning run.

  "The best thing about this place is that we're here 24 hours a day, for four days, and the guys are all bunking with nine other guys, so it's great for building team chemistry," Britnell said. "The freshmen are interacting with the seniors, so it's a true team-building aspect.

  "The guys are having fun, but they're working at the same time. They're dragging butt a little, but they're learning to fight through it."

  Senior co-captain Omar Kandah, a two-way starter at defensive end and offensive guard, gave the get-away-from-it-all experience two thumbs up following Tuesday's second of three practices.

  "I like this a lot," he said. "It's better than doing what we normally do at the school. The practices are tougher than I expected - they're long practices - but we need this.

  "One of the nice things is that we're staying in cabins with other guys on the team who we may not have known very well before this week. Coach Brit made sure not to room best friends with best friends. It can only help us during the season."

  While he loves the atmosphere, Kandah did admit to missing at least a couple modern conveniences.

  "I miss normal water and my I-Pod," he said, smiling. "The food is a lot better than I expected, though."

  What have the Rocks been doing with their down time at camp?

  "Well, they've been working us pretty hard, with three practices a day, so when we do have down time, I've been just sitting down and resting. Oh, we've been cooking some burgers, too."

  The Rocks' roster won't be as deep as in past years, but the players who are committed to the program have impressed Britnell.

  "I can tell you right now that at every position we're more athletic," the former Salem quarterback said. "We still need to get stronger, but I like where we're at from an athletic standpoint. We'll be able to put in more of our offense and we can do more defensively this year.

  "We have some good leaders, too, starting with our captains, Omar Kandah and Ethan Walsh. We have some other leaders stepping up, too, like Matt Morton, Drew Thompson and Devin Burke. Marcus Houston and Evian Pardo are also showing some leadership qualities."

  Salem will play its annual Blue-White scrimmage Saturday at 6 p.m. at the PCEP varsity stadium.

  The Rocks open the regular season Aug. 27 against Plymouth.

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.

Running backs coach Mike Kerul calls the next play. (Ed Wright photo)

Players push themselves during an end-of-practice sprint. (Ed Wright photo)

A quartet of defensive players prepare for the next snap. (Ed Wright photo)

A Salem receiver hauls in a pass despite tight coverage. (Ed Wright photo)

Head coach Kurt Britnell addresses the team following Tuesday's second of three practices. (Ed Wright photo)