He’s going to Disney World! Well, at least it’s pretty close to it.
Walter Quick Jr. of North Bergen is primed for the game of his life. The 10-year-old football “veteran” is journeying to Orlando, Fla., late next month for a weeklong training camp that will culminate with his playing in the Offense-Defense Youth All America Bowl against dozens of the best players from across the country.
The mighty mite from the township has been honing his skills for several years in the North Bergen Recreation Football League, and his ascent has not gone unnoticed.
Walter attended the summer camp of Offense-Defense at Kean University in Union the first week of July this year and impressed many, being named most valuable player.
It was at that camp that the running back/wide receiver/linebacker was tabbed by the Myrtle Beach, S.C., company for the big game on Jan. 5, which follows the program beginning on Dec. 30.
“That’s definitely going to be fun.” – Walter Quick Jr.
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Even the mayor got in on the high praise of the pint-sized pigskin hero.
“Walter is an exceptional player and it looks like he has a bright future on the gridiron,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco, an avid football fan who frequently attends recreation and North Bergen High School games. “He’s a great runner who lives up to his last name, and besides that is a good kid and student. On behalf of everyone in North Bergen I congratulate Walter and wish him good luck at the camp.”
Walter and his family could not be more excited about his upcoming competition.
Excelling at camps
His mother, Jennifer, said the all-star game selection was especially impressive because of the talent Walter competed against during the Kean event.
“These camps represent the best kids from everywhere,” she said. “He received the MVP from Offense-Defense for the whole camp.”
And that was from a population of 125 young football fanatics.
And while the Quick family knew Walter was doing well in his pigskin pursuits, they didn’t realize just how well, because he still finds equal time for his schoolwork.
“I was shocked. I was really shocked,” Quick said. “We’re very happy. We’re very grateful that Walter has excelled. He stayed focused, knowing that education is the number one priority.”
Even with three days of practice during the school year, Walter has managed to keep up his “A” grades.
Going to Disney World
Walter, who’s visited Florida twice – once to Disney World – is psyched for his third journey to the Sunshine State. Although he knew he had a certain level of football prowess from his previous MVP selections at various camps, he had no idea he would be going where he is now.
“I didn’t think I’d get picked to go to a huge bowl game,” he said of going to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
“Just getting to play and being on TV is huge for me,” Walter added. “That’s definitely going to be fun.”
A kid much more mature than his 10 years, he is also pragmatic about his week-long pilgrimage to Florida.
“I’m looking forward to the week of training, to working with the coaches,” he said, “so I can get better.”
Offense-Defense Sports has been running full-contact football instructional camps for the past 45 years and currently operates approximately 40 camps nationwide every spring and summer. NFL starts like Cam Newton and Dez Bryant have appeared in the camp in the past.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.