Sandusky youth camp gives kids chance to play with Blue Streaks

SANDUSKY — First-year Sandusky football coach Lucas Poggiali was zig-zagging on the turf at Strobel Field on Wednesday morning, working with the future of the Blue Streaks program. The third and final day of Sandusky's youth camp was winding down, but the enthusiastic Poggiali was still in high gear as a few dozen kids in grades 1-6 played ball. "I think there will be a lot of naps when the kids get home this afternoon," Poggiali said. Poggiali, who was named head coach in January, had about 20 of his varsity players working the camp, along with his coaching staff. "We have varsity players out here so the kids know who's out here on Friday nights," he said. "We're building the vertical alignment of the program." Poggiali is taking over for longtime coach Mike Franklin. Sandusky's weight room has been full in recent months and Poggiali said 96 athletes showed up when helmets were given out recently. A huge sophomore class has help to bolster Sandusky's numbers. Up next for the Blue Streaks are camp days in July, some 7-on-7 competition and a team camp at Oberlin College, the school where Poggiali holds the single-game passing record of 506 yards. The OHSAA allows football programs to use five acclimation days from July 18-31 so teams can be in full pads when two-a-days begin August 1. Sandusky's first scrimmage is August 5 at home against Clearview. Poggiali, a 2012 Sandusky graduate who works in the high school's college and career readiness department, will make his head coaching debut on August 19 when the Blue Streaks host Springfield (Holland). "The kids have exceeded my expectations," he said. "They're smart and work hard and we have a really, really good coaching staff."