Craig Daily Press

Photo by Drew Turner

Maury Mirante, an upcoming eighth-grader at Craig Intermediate School, was awarded a medal for Best Defensive Back at last week’s Travis Henry Football Camp in Colorado Springs.

Maury Mirante had never played defensive back until last week.

That didn’t stop him from earning a Best Defensive Back medal at the Travis Henry Football Camp.

“It was pretty awesome,” Mirante said. One of the pros congratulated me, “and I called my mom as soon as I got back to the dorm room. That’s a pretty big deal for me.”

The five-day football skills camp was held at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, and featured several NFL players and 100 to 150 kids from around the U.S.

“There were coaches taking notes all during the camp. They were writing down who did the drills best, and how coaches wanted things done,” Mirante said.

Had it not been for summertime boredom and some Internet sleuthing at his dad’s house, Mirante may not have discovered the camp.

“If you told me I would’ve gone to a camp two weeks ago, I would’ve said you are crazy,” Mirante said.

The soon-to-be eighth-grader has two years of organized football, playing fullback, running back and wide receiver in sixth-grade while with the Broncos of the Craig Parks and Recreation department.

Last year, he played defensive end and fullback for Craig Middle School.

Todd Hildebrandt, a CMS teacher and football coach, said the team “had him (Mirante) all over last year.”

“He is very solid defensively and we could count on him to do his certain job and do it well,” Hildebrandt said. “He is just real quick, just has a lot of speed and quickness, and is very, very coachable. I think he might have a future as a defensive back.”

Although unsure if he’ll return to camp next year, Mirante said he is definitely interested if the opportunity arises.

Drew Turner can be reached at 824-7031, ext 211, or aturner@craigdailypress.com