Last week, nearly 80 Excelsior Springs youngsters learned some of the skills they’ll need to be football players. On July 12 and 13, football coaches and players with the Excelsior Springs High School program worked with aspiring players in grades K-6 at Vic Bonuchi Field at Tiger Stadium. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids to come out and be a part of the Tiger program at a young age,” said Joel Mathews, Excelsior Springs defensive coordinator. Campers were divided into groups to warm up and hone their skills. Coaches and players took the campers through drills to prepare them for every position. For the high school players, it’s great to serve as mentors to younger kids, develop friendships with them and get the campers excited about watching the Tigers play on Friday nights, according to Mathews. For many of the campers, the event preceded their youth-league football season. Many of them play in the Excelsior Springs Football Association (ESFA), which began practicing on…