THOMASTON &8212; Football players from six different area programs descended upon A.L. Johnson High School Saturday to take part in the second annual Roderic Cade Memorial Football Camp. By design, the event provides players from rural areas an affordable opportunity to participate in a summer football camp while paying homage to the former A.L. Johnson and Alabama State standout who prematurely lost his life as the result of a shooting in August 2006.

The camp charged attendees $10. With the help of Roderic&8217;s family and U.S. Foods of Montgomery, his former employer, camp participants are provided refreshments, a meal and a T-shirt.

The Saturday event kicked off just after 9 a.m. and offered players the opportunity to receive instruction from coaches from each of the half dozen schools represented.

Dumas is entering his second season as Marengo&8217;s quarterback and believes the coaching he received at the camp will enhance his ability.

Dumas is one of many players who entered the weekend with hopes of bettering himself at the day-long event.

Those players participated in a number of drills, seven-on-seven contests and even a fastest man competition. A.L. Johnson&8217;s Cleophus Daniels&8217; 4.68 time in the 40-yard dash proved enough to tote that honor.

One of the other interesting aspects of the camp was its ability to help players form relationships with peers and coaches from other schools.

The players and coaches from A.L. Johnson, Marengo, John Essex, Greene County, Sunshine and R.C. Hatch attested to getting a great deal from the camp. However, the spirit of the event seemed to remain squarely in line with its namesake, serving as a positive reminder of what Roderic Cade represented to his family, friends and community.