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Former Wyoming Valley West Spartan and Penn State standout Eugene Lewis, right, and PSU tailback Akeel Lynch demonstrate proper passing technique to campers at the Pittston Junior Patriots mini football camp held at Trippi Stadium, Yatesville on Saturday.

Penn State University Nittany Lions Wendy Laurent, far left, and Brent Wilkerson, left, teach campers how to catch and tuck the ball at the Pittston Junior Patriots mini football camp held at Trippi Stadium, Yatesville on Saturday.

YATESVILLE — Four Penn State football players jumped in a car at 6 Saturday morning and started their holiday weekend off by my making a drive to Pittston Area High School to spend six hours sharing their knowledge of the game with local youth players.

Memories of his own childhood experience is what sparked Penn State’s Akeel Lynch participation. Penn State’s leading rusher in 2014 made the trip along with Meyers graduate and Wyoming Valley West standout Geno Lewis and two other teammates.

“With kids of such a young age, you just want to make sure they have fun and try to be a positive influence,” said Lynch during a brief break at the clinic that drew more than 40 players, ages 6-14, to Charley Trippi Stadium.

One of the fun learning experiences of Lynch’s early days in the sport came when he was growing up in Toronto and got tips from players on the Toronto Argonauts Canadian Football League team.

“When I was a kid, I got to meet the Argos when I was in fifth or sixth grade,” Lynch said. “It really had a positive impact on me, just thinking ‘hey, I can be like these guys’ and these guys were so humble to help me out with these little drills.

“It was just such a positive experience.”

Lewis, Lynch, center Wendy Laurent and tight end Brent Wilkerson all taught the players at the event, which was organized by Pittston Junior Patriots president Bob Fahey and Lewis’ father, Rev. Eugene Lewis Sr.

The clinic drew participants from the Junior Patriots and other teams around the Wyoming Valley Junior Football Conference.

“My little brother’s in this,” Geno Lewis said of 10-year-old Emmanuel Lewis, a Pittston Area student. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids to learn.

“We definitely just teach them fundamentals, the techniques, footwork, how to get in the right position, how to tackle.”

Wilkerson, who caught two passes, including one for a touchdown last season, said the players were energetic and mostly listened for advice. He did note, however, that a few sought out Lewis to ask for tips on catching the ball.

Lewis was second on the Nittany Lions in receiving with 55 catches for 751 yards and two touchdowns last season.

The Wyoming Valley West graduate said being in the second year with the same coaching staff and approach under James Franklin should “absolutely” be a benefit to the entire offense.

“We’re all just out here trying to get better each and every day, trying to be as good as we can be,” Lewis said. “Right now, whatever they want from me, that’s what I want to do.”

While Penn State was adjusting to a new offense, Lynch was having a personal breakthrough, running for 678 yards and four touchdowns.

“For all of us, being the first year in a new offense, there’s always some trouble in that first year.,” he said. “The second year, definitely, this year is going to be different. A lot of practice has gone well, a lot of communication has gone well.”

With a brief break from their own preparations, the four Nittany Lions changed roles and became the teachers of the game for a day.

“I’m just out here trying to have fun with the kids,” Laurent said. “When I was growing up, things like this could have probably helped me out a lot.”

Fahey and Lewis Sr. said they would like to expand the clinic and offer it to more kids in the years to come.

Participants paid only a $10 fee to cover lunch.