Youth Focus: SCC BodyArmor Flag Football Camp Goes All Out

SOMERS, N.Y. - On Friday, July 19, SCC BodyArmor Academy and Training held the fourth day of their flag football camp. As the action was about to kick off, Adam Kern was definitely encouraging the fun.  But the founder was also pushing the flip side.

“Every time you put the laces on, give one hundred percent,” said the John Jay dad. “That’s how you get better.”

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He had some pretty good examples to help show the way. “Zac always worked his tail off,” said Kern of Austin Zaccagnino who was joined by former teammates Craig Galea, Bryce Ford, and Lucas Celleti and Mac Sullivan of Somers.

On summer break from SUNY Cortland, the former receiver also welcomed the down time.

“I just enjoy doing this,” said Zaccagnino.

More than that, the 2023 grad relishes the chance to turn the tables. “I like seeing the kids grow up and get better, so they can have as much fun playing football as I did,” he clarified.

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Seventeen touchdowns last year, Terrence White is already with the program, and the seven-year-old doesn’t complicate his approach. “If I get the ball, I do one move and I go,” the running back/receiver explained.

From there to the end zone, his mom has it down to a science too. “I scream my head off and jump up and down,” Kaitlynne White didn’t hold back.

Dad was more pragmatic, though.

“It’s always nice to see the hard work pay off,” said Joe White.

But wins and losses aren’t the only thing that matters, according to Joanna Troy. “My son has learned what it feels like to have real camaraderie,” said the North Salem mom.

The sentiment isn’t contained to the playing field either. “There’s a sense of community on the sidelines,” said Troy. “Sunday games are our favorite thing to do.”

Crediting Kern for making the family atmosphere a focal point, she’s also grateful that the camp provides built in older brothers for her boy. “It’s so nice to see the former players, because he looks up to them and wants to be just as successful,” said Troy.

In this, Galea sees himself - then and now.  “All my coaches inspired me to be better. So it’s rewarding when I see these kids get better, and how they look up and want to be like you,” said the former John Jay quarterback, who is majoring on Phys Ed and hopes to someday coach.

Alongside Sullivan slung the same lofty ideals. “I want to get these kids ready so they can perform and succeed in football and in life,” said the graduating Somers senior who was the first player ever in Kern’s league.

Still, the duo didn’t necessarily see eye to eye on who was the better high school quarterback.  Putting it out there for the future stars to decide, Galea made sure to point out that Sullivan was a receiver when Galea came to town in 2022 and 2023.

But the quiet modesty of Sullivan said plenty without saying a word. He led Somers to the state championship this past year and his confident glare assured that no other point needed to be made.  Either way, the banter was all in good fun, and the two former rivals were really putting their friendship on display for the kids.

Following suit, Charlie Degl had plenty of friends at his side and likes easing in with a little summer flag football. “It’s more fun with a lot of running,” said the seventh grader.

Still, he knows this time is more of a holding pattern, and the main event awaits. “I love tackle football, because you get to make the big plays,” Degl assured.

One hundred percent, the effect shows that the armor from Kern, the former players and the parents are rubbing off exactly the way it's supposed to.

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