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WATSEKA — Max Fransen will spend the next month preparing and getting his Watseka High School football team ready for the 2025 season.
But those preparations for the season opener at Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman on Aug. 29 can wait for one night.
Especially this Saturday night. That’s when Fransen and the Warriors will host their third annual Tackling Disabilities football camp.
An idea inspired by Fransen’s godson, who has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
“He’s always loved sports and athletes, and the way he connects with them is powerful — he remembers every one he’s ever met,” said Fransen, who will start his fifth season in charge of Watseka football this fall. “That impact stuck with me early in my coaching career, and I knew I wanted to create something for kids like him.”
Hence, the Tackling Disabilities football camp came about. This year, the camp added a second location, holding one in June at Manteno High School. The hope, Fransen said, is to keep expanding and growing the event each year.
“We want to give kids with disabilities a chance to experience the joy of football,” Fransen said. “I tell our players, ‘We get nine weeks of football — these kids get an hour and a half. Make it the best hour and a half of their year.’ Each camper is paired with a player and goes through drills, games, and most importantly, gets to be part of a team.”
Different stations are set up for the 90-minute camp that runs from 6-7:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Watseka High School football field. Campers go through drills like ladder footwork and handoffs, punting, kicking field goals through the uprights, running routes and playing catch.
“We also make time for tackling bags, celebrating touchdowns and racing in the 40-yard dash to see how fast they can go,” Fransen said. “One of the favorite stops is trying on football gear, snapping photos and enjoying some snacks. Every station is designed to bring out smiles, build confidence and let the kids experience the excitement of the game in a safe, supportive way.”
Having the Tackling Disabilities camp take place every year is a goal Fransen wants to continue.
“From the very beginning, I never focused on numbers,” he said. “Whether one child shows up or 100, our goal is the same: to give them a night they’ll never forget. It’s about making sure every kid feels seen, supported and part of something special.”
Having his own Watseka football players help out at the camp is vital, Fransen said.
“They serve as one-on-one buddies for the campers, guiding them through drills, cheering them on and simply being present,” Fransen said. “What’s powerful is that many campers return the next year and immediately reconnect with the same player. Those bonds are real.
“For our athletes, this camp is unlike anything else they experience in football. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, serve others and gain a new perspective. We talk a lot about brotherhood and leadership in our program, and this night brings all of that to life in the most genuine way. It’s become one of our favorite traditions, and something our players and coaches look forward to every year.”
Seeing the parents of the campers come out is another bonus for Fransen.
“The campers light up the moment they hit the field, and our athletes form genuine connections in just a short time,” Fransen said. “You see high-fives, smiles and laughter everywhere. Many of the parents spend so much time in caregiver mode, and this camp gives them a chance to step back, relax and watch their child be celebrated. Seeing that joy shared between campers, athletes, and families, that’s what makes it all worth it.”
Plus, it’s a night geared around football. Fransen wouldn’t want it any other way.
“Football is for everyone,” he said, “and this camp is one way we live that out.”
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