Kahok football works to improve through the summer
by Mark Jurgena
COLLINSVILLE — With the turn of the calendar to July, Friday night football is inching closer to reality once again. But the Kahok football team has been busy with their summer workouts since early June.
The summer for us is about developing our culture and building chemistry,” said Collinsville football coach Colton Rhodes before they opened the summer. “We are going to install and develop plays as well, but if we can develop brotherhood and further our culture in the hot months of June and July then we can have a great team once the season starts in August.”
On June 24, the Kahoks had a 7-on-7 event against O’Fallon and Centralia and will have another one later in July.
“We are starting to piece a lot of our early install together,” said Rhodes. “June is always a tough month because as a coach, you want everything to be perfect. In June, we have to really dig deep into being the best teachers so the athletes can learn the basics. Hopefully, we did a great job of teaching the basics so we can really progress in July. The athletes have been full of energy and enthusiasm, and I’m excited to see the rest of our growth.”
Shrine Game
Earlier in June the 50th annual Illinois Shrine all-star football game had a couple of Collinsville participants.
Graduated Kahok senior Darren Pennell played quarterback for the Blue team.
“I had a great time this week at the Shrine game,” said Pennell. “I feel really blessed and fortunate to play in a game that had a meaning deeper than just football. Meeting a lot of different players and learning from new coaches was a great experience.”
In addition to his QB duties, he was also a slot receiver during the game.
“Pennell was outstanding as always,” said Rhodes. “He led some solid drives as the QB. We installed a package for him to get some reps as a slot receiver as well. He finished the day with two catches including a 36-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.”
He will attend McKendree University this fall to play football for the NCAA Division II school.
“I know it only gets more difficult in college,” said Pennell. “I’m ready and super excited to be going to a school like Mckendree. I can’t wait to get on campus and start that next chapter for myself.”
While Pennell was on the field playing, Rhodes was a coach for the Blue team for the event that was played in Bloomington at Illinois Wesleyan University. He served as the running backs/tight ends coach for the squad.
Hall of Fame coach Cullen Welter of Monticello was the head coach for the squad.
“Most fun week of coaching possible,” he said of his experience. “Wish I would have walked around with a notebook at all times to write down all the sayings, tips, advice, coaching strategies and everything I learned.”
