St. Regis football players learn new game

Football season is a long way off, but players in St. Regis took to the field last week for a short, three-day camp. The football camp ran Monday, July 26 through Wednesday, July 28 for two hours each day from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the evenings.

Coach Danny Noonan said that this fall the school will be playing six-man football instead of eight-man, which is what they played last year.

"It was just a time to get acquainted with the new rules and become familiar with six-man football since were switching this year," Noonan said.

Noonan said that the game of six-man football differs slightly from eight-man football, which is what they were used to.

Six-man football is played on an 80 yard long by 40 yard wide field. Furthermore, the game specifies a 15-yard distance from the line of scrimmage to gain a first down, instead of the normal 10 yards.

"The game is a little more wide open because you don't have as many players out on the field and every player is eligible, even the center is eligible for a pass," Noonan said. "Six-man football is also really fast. There's not much room for any big line guys."

Scoring is the same, with the exceptions being on the point after touchdown attempt and the field goal. A point-after kick is worth two points, while a conversion made by running or passing the ball is worth one point; this is the opposite of 11-man football. In addition, a field goal is worth four points instead of three.

Noonan said that they were working on new formations and practicing offensive lineups as well. Although the players didn't pad up during camp, Noonan said that they were getting the idea of where they would be positioned and how things would work.

"We didn't pad up, but they got a good idea of where they would be positioned in a game," Noonan said. "They seemed to enjoy it and seemed to be learning."

Noonan said that the camp was not only beneficial for the players, but was also beneficial for him as the coach.

"One of the biggest things was I just wanted to see how they looked because some things are so much different," Noonan said. "I mean, a lot of the offenses are almost the same, but there's one less player on the ball."

Noonan said that he had hoped they might be able to do a full scrimmage, but not enough players showed up for the camp. He said that normally he doesn't get a big turnout, but his few basic players were there.

"We had ten two days and eleven on one day," Noonan said. "Most of them were away on vacation or working."

Noonan suspects that the numbers will be substantially up this year. In the past, they've had nine to ten players, but he is hoping for around 15 this year. He said that so far he's had 20 sign up though. Noonan said that overall the camp went well and he's looking forward to the season. Practice begins August 16 for the St. Regis players.

"They worked pretty hard (at camp)," Noonan said. "They worked up a good sweat, but they did enjoy it. It was actually a lot of fun."