Sequoyah spends week at FCA camp readying for new season

Sequoyah football spent the final week of July at summer camp.

The Chiefs participated in practices, drills and meetings at FCA camp on the campus of Carson-Newman in Jefferson City.

“Our big thing was building our team. When you are there, it is just you all. There is nobody else there to distract you,” Sequoyah coach Derrick Vestal said. “The other great thing is we get a lot of practice time while we are there. It is really good for our team, but it is good for our guys as well.”

The camp focuses off the field as much as it does on. While the team is given new opposition to test itself out against, players are given perspective into football and life after it.

“I think the biggest thing that was delivered was perspective and peace of mind. Those are things that were delivered, knowing there is only one true way to get peace of mind and one perspective on life and how life can be,” Vestal said. “It is good to see. These guys are playing big-time college football, but they still have adversity. To find out they get their strength from the same place that I get mine.”

Current and former Carson-Newman players spoke to the team.

“That no matter how hard things get, football is still a game, but when you start putting football into perspective and realize that it is only a short time frame of your life … being a man of God is way more important than being a good football player,” Vestal said.

Sequoyah took part mostly in 7-on-7s along with internal practices — even the linemen competed in a big-man 7-on-7. Amongst those to stand out were quarterback Aaron Hunt as well as Hunner Johnson and Maddox Jones.

“I think it was a good week for Aaron Hunt. I also think Keith Gentry and Maddox Jones did a great job leadership-wise, especially on the back end,” Vestal added. “Hunner Johnson really stood out to me as a good leader this past week.”

Sequoyah competed with McMinn County, Morristown East, Morristown West and Tennessee High as well as Virginia High School and John Battle High School in Bristol.

“It is unique to see all these guys from different schools. We get to see all these different athletes, skill sets, styles of offense and styles of defense too. It is pretty unique,” Vestal said.

The Chiefs’ coaching staff built the roommate pairing strategically, hoping to forge new relationships amongst the team.

“Carson Newman is so good and the camp is so good. Seeing our guys come together and become friends with guys they typically would not,” Vestal said. “Getting to see guys bond with guys that they have not bonded with before is pretty cool to see.”