Young players will work out with pros at HHS camp

Dawan Landry

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Young football players in St. Charles Parish will get a chance to work out with three NFL players during the first Rising Stars football camp, which will be held at Hahnville High School from July 16-18.

The camp is sponsored by LaRon Landry, Dawan Landry and Darius Reynaud, who all played at Hahnville before going on to compete in the NFL. The camp is open to all skill levels, but only those players between the ages of 8-15.

LaRon Landry spent five seasons playing for the Washington Redskins, but will enter the 2012 season as a member of the New York Jets. The defensive back had 48 tackles and 1.5 sacks last season. LaRon starred at LSU and finished his career with 315 tackles and 12 interceptions. His 12 interceptions left him with the third-highest total in school history, while his 315 tackles rank seventh in LSU history. He was also a member of the Tigers 2003 national championship team.

Defensive back Dawan Landry, LaRon’s older brother, is entering his seventh season in the NFL. Dawan had a huge year in 2011 as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He recorded 97 tackles and two interceptions in his first year with the squad.

Reynaud, a wide receiver who played three seasons in the NFL, will bring his offensive experience to round out the camp.

Hahnville head coach Lou Valdin said the three players will be a huge draw.

"I think it’s incredible that they will be here to spend time with the kids. I wish I had the opportunity to hang out with NFL players when I was young," he said. "You never know, they may say one thing to one kid that may influence his whole life."

The Landry brothers have sponsored Hahnville’s football camp in the past, but for the last two years they have been unable to attend because Valdin was forced to move the camp to May.

"This year they wanted a camp that they could attend," Valdin said. "They started a foundation and some of the money that’s made will go to it."

During the camp, young players will learn the fundamentals of football through drills used by the Hahnville High School football team. Valdin said some of his players will be on hand to help show campers the ropes.

"The kids really like working with our football players," he said. "The camp is geared towards younger players and the goal of the camp is to teach them skills that they can take back to the playground."

The Landrys and Reynaud will also be on hand to offer personalized instruction. Valdin said the three will sign autographs for those in attendance.

But the camp is not all about drills. The three NFL players will also stress the importance of leadership skills and character development. There will also be plenty of fun games such as scrimmages and a punt, pass and kick competition.

The cost of the camp is $60 per participant. Registration for the camp begins at 7 a.m. and the camp will get underway at 7:30 a.m. each day. A parent or legal guardian must be present to register.

The camp ends at noon.

All checks must be made payable to Leadership4Life. For more information, contact (504)265-2452 or (985)722-8574.