Back to the Future

Chapter 7

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The Jaguars looked sloppy. 

Their form was off. Their movements weren’t crisp. And their attention wavered. 

But give them a break. After all, they’re only kindergarteners.

The Mill Valley Jaguars Football and Cheer Association held its annual camp Aug. 5-6 at Jaguar Stadium. Junior Jaguars from kindergarten to sixth grade learned the fundamentals of the game firsthand from the highschool coaches and players.

“This is the foundation of our program and it always has been,” said Mill Valley Jaguars head coach Joel Applebee.

“The things they learn here allows them to grow within the program as they get older,” he said. “Every year they pick up something new and by the time they reach high school they have a good foundation for us to build upon.”

The camp doesn’t dumb anything down for the kids. They run the same plays as the high school team using the same terminology at all levels.

“That’s the biggest thing we ask of our junior football program is to use our terminology,” Applebee said. “The more they can use our terminology and our tackling and tracking drills, that's something we don’t have to teach them when they get to high school.”

One important aspect of the MVJFCA camp is that it is run by the high school coaches and players. Applebee feels that it’s important that the youngsters and coaches get familiar with each other early on.

Mill Valley Jaguars head coach Joel Applebee gathers the Junior Jaguars for the final night of camp.

“That’s why we run our camps the way we do so the kids can be around the high school and middle school coaches,” he said. “We get to know each other and have a little bit of connection with them, getting to know a face and a name. That’s very, very important.”

But what’s it like trying to coach kids of various ages, talents and attention spans?

“Well, sometimes it’s not much different than teaching the high school kids.” jokes assistant head coach and offensive line coach Jesse Resseguie. “But seriously, the main thing is just making sure that they’re having a good time. As long as they’re running around and active out here with their friends, that’s happening.”

Resseguie said he loves the camp and coaching young kids.

“The mood is lighter than with the high school kids and you’re just going back to the basics,” he said. “It’s fun to do this right before the high school season gears up and things start to get really serious with the varsity team.”

A treat for the kids was having the high school players show up and take part in the camp. 

“We are super lucky that so many of our varsity players show up to help,” Resseguie said.

Applebee feels that it’s important for the younger players to interact with the varsity players. 

“I always tell them that these kids look up to them like they would never know,” he said. “I know they have memories of being out here so now it’s their time to give back.”

It wasn’t that long ago that sophomore defensive lineman Barrett Carbajo was taking part in the MVJFCA camp. Now he’s on the field helping coach and modeling proper behavior for the young Jags. 

“I remember going through this and looking up to all the older guys. I loved seeing and learning from them,” he said. 

Barrett said he likes working with the kids even though it can sometimes be akin to herding cats. 

“They have a lot of energy, that's for sure,” he said. “But I love it. It’s a positive energy and the point is that they are out here having fun.”

Barrett said he enjoys working with the next generation of Jaguars.

“I try to be positive and encourage these guys,” he said. “Hopefully they learn a thing or two so that when they get to high school they know what they’re doing and are ready to contribute.”

As Coach Applebee walks the football field from practice drill to practice drill he can’t help but smile. More than 300 kids participated in the MVJFCA camp. Who knows what future Mill Valley star resides behind those baby faces. But for now, the coach is just having fun. He offers encouragement and high five and is truly enjoying himself.

When asked what he sees as he strolls the field, he doesn’t hesitate with an answer.

“I see a big community and a big family,” he said. “We are one big program whether it’s kindergarten through sixth grade, middle school or high school. It’s a pretty special feeling.”