Holden Football Program Holds Fifth Annual Combine Community Event
Eagle Enthusiasm… Holden high school football coach David Diener (center) and Holden youth football players break huddle following combine drill activities at the Holden Football Combine Community Event Thursday, July 17. Photo by Steve Edwards
The fifth edition of the Holden Football Combine Community Event was held at the Holden High School football field Thursday, July 17.
The annual combine event features NFL-style combine drill stations for Holden football players in flag football through the high school level to test their athletic skills in a fun, supportive atmosphere.
Also featured at the event are a silent auction fundraiser with gift baskets and prizes donated by local businesses, local food trucks and vendor booths, and a bounce house for the younger children in attendance.
The football combine community event began prior to the 2021 fall football season in Holden high school football coach David Diener’s first season leading the Eagles.
“What’s great about it is there are a lot of kids now at the high school level that have done this since they were in fifth and sixth grade,” said coach Diener. “So just to see that progression, see some of our new kids that have come in at all levels come in here and get some marks, it’s just a great night to have our community get together.
“It’s so important to have a great football family atmosphere with it, and you know, this is just an opportunity for us to do this,” highlighted coach Diener. “Football’s not always blood and guts, it’s a chance to have fun, too. We’re excited about this opportunity, and yeah, it’s absolutely become a tradition and something that we hope keeps growing…just excited about the numbers that are here, and it really shows the work that we’re doing trying to get the community excited about football.”
Members from the high school and middle school football teams, along with members from the Holden football coaching staff led the youth football players in the drills to begin the event before the middle and high school players took to the drill stations themselves.
The combine event marked the conclusion of this year’s youth football camp as offseason work for the high school and middle school players continues through the summer.
“Our summer, we still have one more week, but we’re right in the thick of it all,” said coach Diener. “We’ve had great numbers all year. We always have over 40. Our best days are over 50, so our goal of 60 kids out for football is really there. We expect to get a few more once school starts up and kids aren’t working all the time. We’re really excited about the numbers. Our freshmen numbers are outstanding which is a huge testament to our middle school program and youth program keeping these kids excited about football, so we’re very excited. We had a big class graduate, but we’ve got big classes still coming. That’s what it’s about, making sure that we always have good kids here for the lifeblood of our program.”
The Holden high school football season begins with a three-team preseason jamboree at Holden High School on Friday, Aug. 22. The football teams from Lone Jack and Sherwood are scheduled to be in attendance. Start time for the jamboree is 6 p.m.
The first regular-season game for the Holden high school football team is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29. Holden travels to Crest Ridge for that regular-season opener. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Holden middle school football season is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 9 with a road game at Sherwood. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
