Argus Observer hosts media day for football teams
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The Argus Observer newspaper in Ontario, OR, tried something new with local football teams with the start of prep football season just around the corner.
Covering eight local high schools, Argus Observer Sports Editor Scott Ford came up with the idea of treating the teams more like college teams and inviting each to a media day with The Argus Observer and local radio station 1380 KSRV The Bull.
Ford put together the event in less than two weeks, since all teams were under the gun to be able to attend. Of the eight teams invited, six of the schools showed up. Only two, which both had conflicts with players being out of town for an FFA event, were not able to attend.
Coaches and players were asked to come prepared to meet with The Argus Observer sports reporters and possibly be interviewed on the radio about the upcoming season. All teams were invited to participate in a 7-on-7 passing event, in which four teams took part.
The seven-on-seven drill on the field set each team with four downs to gain 20 yards and if successful they continue to play on the offensive side of the ball.
As well, The Argus Observer and KSRV publicized the event prior to the event taking place and invited the public to come out, free of charge, and watch the teams in the 7-on-7 event. About 100 people from the community showed up for the first-ever event.
"The Media Day was fun and exciting," Ford said. "It gave the fans and media an early peek at the upcoming season. I cant wait to do the next one."
The eight teams that were invited represented two states in five different leagues in both 11-man and 8-man teams.
Ford said this years Media Day was a success, given the short amount of time in which it was put together. "Next year," he said, "even more events are in the works, including a skills contest for some of the players involved and a fan meet-and-greet time, in which fans will be able to talk with players and kids can get autographs."
"This event will only get bigger," Ford said. "We had good response from the fans that attended the first one. We have high expectation for future events."