By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Nearly 80 local football players took advantage of the opportunity to perform in front of college coaches on Tuesday, turning out for the 18th Topeka Area Football Coaches Association Junior Day Combine at Shawnee Heights.
"I think we had 77 out today and last year we had 73 so we're always in the ballpark between 70 and 85 and all the MIAA schools that are close by are here, the NAIAs from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska are here and junior colleges,'' Shawnee Heights coach Jason Swift said.
The combine was primarily geared towards next year's seniors interested in playing football at the collegiate level and players went through a series of activities, including the 40-yard dash, standing long jump, vertical jump, agility drills and bench press.
"What I told the kids is that this is an opportunity to do a combine here locally where you're going to get several colleges from all different levels to watch you compete,'' Swift said. "The kids don't have to travel far, it's low cost, so the benefit is being able to show off our talent without having to give a big commitment to travel and all of that.
"All we're trying to do is promote the great athletes we have in Shawnee County.''
