Yorkton does not have a professional football operating in the City, but the next best thing might have been Saturday afternoon when a few pros came by for a two-day mini camp in conjunction with Football Night in Saskatchewan.
Jordan Matechuk of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, teammates Eddie Steele and Adrian Hardy and Brad Black hosted a camp for kids, most of whom are from Yorkton, Churchbridge and Preeceville, said Matechuk.
The camp started Friday afternoon and ended Saturday and included about 58 kids.
"We're getting them ready for the season," he told reporters following the final scrimmage. He added that it's becoming evident that football is becoming somewhat of a full time job in these parts; players are getting started at an early age and when they aren't studying or in school, they are out practicing football, Matechuk observed.
"It (really) shows."
The football camp is the fourth installment of the 'Maddawg Football Camp' which the native of Yorkton has hosted basically in his own backyard and even the number of participants seems to be rising.
"It's great to see."
Day one of the camp saw the Tabbies' trio put the prospects through a series of drills, then put them head-to-head in a scrimmage at the end.
Following the game, he held a session for punting, special teams, and long snappers, Matechuk indicated that any team, Any Given Sunday, that blocks a punt in that game, is 93 per cent likely to win that football game, states Matechuk.
He added that punt blocking revolves around precise timing of the snap.
With Matechuk, Hardy, Steele and Black getting ready for another season of pro football in Hamilton, Matechuk and company are looking forward to what they expect should be another strong season. Hamilton is coming off a first-round playoff exit loss to Toronto in a game they could have won.
Matechuk said the hiring of new offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones could turn out to be the missing piece of the puzzle.
"We're really looking forward, with the coaching change.
Training camp opens June 1 in Hamilton.
