On the day Chase Farris was hired as the Elyria Catholic coach, he vowed to give back to the community in Elyria and Lorain County through football.
Talk is cheap, but the former Pioneer put his money where his mouth is on July 29, as the Panthers hosted a free youth football clinic.
“You can never pay anyone back for what they have done for you. All you could do is pay it forward. I learned that at Ohio State,” he said. “I continue to believe that you win with people and we put our best foot forward each and every day and try to pay it forward as much as we can.”
This was one of the seven days of Elyria Catholic’s Panther Week, which also included a food pantry and assisting the elderly.
The football game was quickly organized through social media. In the free event, children honed their skills from Farris, Doran Grant and Troy Smith. All of whom are former Ohio State Buckeyes and NFL players.
“To be able to bring that type of energy here, type of comradery and that type of relationship here is an amazing feeling. This (camp) is the first of many,” Farris said.
Farris also remains persistent to put aside rivalries and come together as a community through football.
“It’s all about us. There are no rivalries,” he said. “It is one trying to bridge the gap in one community; propel us forward to be the best that we can be. To be able to have youth (football) organizations like the Little Pioneers, Mini Panthers and the Steelman. We even have some guys from the west side of Cleveland out here competing and trying to get better.”
Elyria Catholic players volunteered as camp coaches. Defensive back Brady Engle will be a second-year starter for the upcoming season.
“Learning what my coaches have, I tried to pass it down to the younger guys to give my advice and stuff like that,” he said.
Engle thought it was satisfying to give back to the kids, as the rest of the team, along with himself attempted to pass their knowledge to the youth.
“We are really just trying to get some kids and get some work in and stuff (like that). We are having fun, to be honest. It is a good environment to be around,” Engle said.
