Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden — What could be the beginning of something big begins today at the Hayden High School.

With spring sports in the books, Hayden football coach Shawn Baumgartner will have a football camp at 4 p.m. today, Tuesday and Wednesday at the High School.

"We're just going to get things going," Baumgartner said. "Kicking off the summer and getting some 7-on-7 going."

The main focus of the camp, Baumgartner said, is to get the returning players up to speed and introduce the offense to the new players.

Judging by last year, only minor adjustments are in order.

Hayden's coming off an impressive season where the team finished 10-2 and made it to the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs before losing to state powerhouse Limon.

Maybe what's more encouraging is Hayden loses only two starters and four seniors from last year's team.

The team returns with all-state players (Coy Letlow and Aaron Haskins) as well as everybody across the offensive line. The team also will have assistant coaches Bob Harris and Nathan Frentress back.

Letlow ran for more than 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. As a team Hayden ran for more than 3,000 yards on the ground.

With the recent success, Baumgartner said he's expecting a large number of people to participate in camp.

"I am anticipating somewhere around 45," he said. "I'm real excited about our numbers. Plus, we have a solid freshmen class coming in."

The camp just kicks off a busy start for the Hayden team.

Although Baumgartner said the team doesn't have any official plans to attend a team camp, he said he knows a lot individual will be taking part in camps around the state.

For instance, Letlow will attend the University of Colorado's camp in June. The camp is an invitation only camp.

Although Baumgartner knows expectations will be high for the Tigers, he said today and throughout the summer is where Hayden will prove what kind of team it can be.

"You can look at us on paper last year and we were not expected do well last year and we surprised some people," he said. "This year, you can look at that same piece of paper and it's just a piece of paper. We have to work hard and take on those challenges."

The camp will run from 4 to 6 p.m. at the high school.

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com