Notre Dame Trojans

Brad Piper (left) and Detlev Himmelman (right) stand in front of legendary Notre Dame Stadium. The two West Ferris football players took part in a football camp put on by the NCAA school. Photo submitted.

It’s a sunny mid-July morning and Detlev Himmelman and Brad Piper are playing catch with a football at WJ Fricker field and reminiscing about the amazing football camp they attended at the Notre Dame Football Camp in South Bend, Indiana in late June.

For Himmelman, a tight end and defensive lineman looking to make the move from Junior to Senior football with the Trojans this fall, it was an amazing opportunity to strut his stuff in front of hundreds of NCAA Division I and Division I ‘AA’ scouts.

“Just to be able to be coached by Division I coaches was just great because I went there last year and I improved my game so much when I cam into grade 10 and I’m sure this year it will help me with my game I hope,” said Himmelman who worked on both sides of the ball.

On the offensive side, Himmelman said he learned about releasing from defensive ends and linebackers off the line and improved his blocking while on the defensive side he worked tackling techniques and movement along the defensive line.

For Brad Piper, it was a reality check. The West Ferris Trojans fullback, who at 6’2”, 220, looked a lot like “Rudy” compared to some of the other running backs and fullbacks he worked with.

“It was kind of unbelievable to see the kids there, the talent they had was amazing compared to some of the kids I’ve seen and played with,” said Piper.

“I learned to be a lot faster a lot stronger with the ball, keep lower and just be stronger all around that’s what you need playing at my position.”

West Ferris Trojans football coach Larry Tougas - a Michigan Wolverines fan - was cheering for his players attending the "Fighting Irish" camp.

"Anytime time these kids can get that expertise can only bode well for them to develop as a player under our system," said Tougas, who attended a coaching clinic at Notre Dame in the late 1990's.

Both West Ferris students hope this gives them an edge as they head into their first year of Senior Football in the NDA.