BROWNSTOWN

The start of the football season isn’t celebrated on one day in Brownstown.

The Braves and their fans celebrate for six straight days.

Events were planned July 18 through Saturday to get the community and players excited for the 2016 season.

[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]

The fifth- and sixth-graders, middle school and freshman camps and women’s clinic led up to Friday and Saturday’s featured events.

On Friday, football players of all ages took the field at Blevins Memorial Stadium for a superstars competition.

For the fifth- and sixth-graders, there was a punt, pass and kick competition, while members of the middle school team then scrimmaged on the game field.

The high schoolers competed in the weight room and track for individual athletics honors.

A blood drive also took place during the superstars competition. Braves head coach Reed May said the Indianapolis Colts along with the Indiana Blood Center approached the team about doing a blood drive last year, and the event went well.

Gavin Bane placed first in the superstars competition with Kyle Kramer second and Noah Reynolds third for the varsity group.

The F.I.S.T. team of Bane, Clark Hauer, Tyler Neal, Stuart Hayden, Gus Hogan, Kylen Terry, Ethan Bundy and Julian Deaton placed first in the senior pride competition.

May said the idea of a superstars competition started when the varsity team used to max out on weights on summer mornings when the players weren’t as motivated.

“The kids didn’t have any effort to max out,” May said. “We came up with the idea to make it a competition. That way, you also get the fans involved.

“We then decided to just make it a camp week featuring a bunch of events. It’s basically a kickoff to football season. It’s good to have all the families out here to support the kids.

“The key is the weight room. In football, you have to be great at weightlifting. The younger kids don’t only see that, but they see the scrimmages.”

Hauer, an incoming senior who will play at center, competed in the Superstars Night for the third time.

“It’s a good group of guys,” Hauer said. “We’re working hard and having fun. It helps bring the community out, and shows they’re involved and support us.”

Hauer said that working with the younger kids is good for the program, especially diligence in the weight room.

“If we work hard in it, they will follow suit,” he said. “They will learn from us and become good leaders.

On Saturday, the Braves competed in a 7-on-7 contest with West Washington, Jennings County and Bedford North Lawrence.

The Braves finished 1-2 against their opponents, defeating Jennings County.

That night, there was a Dancing with the Stars competition to raise money for the program.

Five members of the Brownstown football team took the stage with their partners to put on a variety of routines, and the Braves raised $12,900 at the fundraiser.

This week, the Braves will take time off from the field.

On Aug. 5, they will conduct their annual towel scrimmage.

Fans will get another chance to see the Braves before the season-opener when the team hosts Jennings County on Aug. 12 for a scrimmage.

The first game of the season is Aug. 19 at Paoli.

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”56ers awards” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Award winners for the 56ers competition on Friday night included:

Speed test

5th grade

1. Caiden Gwin 17.37

2. Isaiah Engle 17.51

3. Brady Blann 17.66

4. Parker Hehman 17.87

5. Jaycob Steinkamp 18.01

6th grade

1. Carson Darlage 17.79

2. Bryce Neal 18.27

3. Adam Wayt 18.34

4. Caleb Cummings 18.61

5. Ethan Fultz 18.79

Passing

5th grade

1. Charlie Hackman 28

2. Quentin Tiemeyer 25

3. Hehman 24

4. Ethan Garland 24

5. Bryce Peak 24

6th grade

1. Neal 32

2. Owen Bolte 32

3. Peyton Terry 32

4. Chandler Stahl 29

5. Fultz 29

Kicking

5th grade

1. Landon Francia 26

2. Trent Lowery 24

3. Hackman 22

4. Ryan Branaman 21

5. Tiemeyer 21

6th grade

1. Darlage 32

2. Chandler Stahl 30

3. Kristos McCormick 29

4. Sawyer 28

5. Neal 28

Punting

5th grade

1. Hehman 27

2. Landon Fancia 26

3. Gwin 25

4. Bryce Peak 24

5. Adam Stahl 23

6th grade

1. Neal 29

2. Jacob White 27

3. Owen Bolte 27

4. Oakley Sawyer 26

5. Darlage 25

[sc:pullout-text-end]