FORT BENNING, Ga., (Aug. 20, 2014) -- The Fort Benning Bengals football players have been back on the field since Aug. 11 getting into the swing of things during their annual conditioning camp on French Field, which ends Aug. 22.
This year there will be three Bengals teams, which will be split up into age groups, one 9- to 10-year-old team and two 11- to 13-year-old teams, said Dorrie Wagner, Child, Youth & School Services director.
The Bengals, who are a part of the Columbus Youth Football League, are required by league mandate to undergo two weeks of conditioning for the upcoming season.
Travis Washington, who will be the head coach for one of the two 11- to 13-year-old Bengals teams, said during the camp only physical and mental conditioning, running and preparation is worked on.
He said the camp consists of sprint drills, grass drills, mat drills, basic blocking, strength and ladder drills.
Wagner said the camp is used to get the players bodies acclimated for endurance in the heat and to get them ready to play.
"Usually a game is won in the fourth quarter," Washington said. "So, if you're in shape (that's when) you usually win a game."
Washington, a 10-year coaching veteran, said there are a lot of new Bengals players this season, which could pose a challenge.
"If we can get them to buy into what we want to do, everything else will come (together)," he said.
Washington said his goal is to return to the Peanut Bowl.
Other on-post tackle football teams playing in CYSS leagues will conduct their conditioning camp from Sept. 2-5, Wagner said.
There will be three on-post 9- to 10-year-old tackle teams, she said, and four 6- to 8-year-old flag football teams. The flag football teams will not be required to go through conditioning camp.
She said each Bengals team will have 18 to 32 players and each on-post tackle team and all flag football teams will have 15 to 18 players.
The Bengals will have two cheerleading squads and the on-post tackle teams will have four cheerleading squads, Wagner said. All squads will consist of 5 to 10 cheerleaders.
Wagner said when the seasons start, the amount of practice days and times differ for the on-post and the CYFL Bengals teams.
The on-post tackle teams and flag football teams can practice two days per week, for one to one and a half hours and the Bengals can practice three days per week for two hours per day, she said.
All teams will be finalized Aug. 25.
Washington said the fans should expect a lot of excitement this year.
"We come to play," he said.
CYFL Season:
Bengals teams: Sept. 20-mid-November
Practice with pads starts Aug. 25
CYSS Season:
On-post tackle teams: Sept. 13-Nov. 8
Practice with pads starts Sept. 8
Flag football teams: Sept. 12-Nov. 8
Practice starts Sept. 8
Schedules TBD
Social Sharing