Coaches can’t require football players to participate in spring camps, the kids attend because they want to.

At Oak Harbor and Coupeville high schools, there is a lot of “want” this spring.

Wolves coach Ron Bagby said he had as many as 35 players show up for the camp June 4 through 7.

“We had a good turnout, even though some of the kids were playing American Legion baseball,” he said. “I have a bunch of good kids and we have a lot of enthusiasm out here.”

At Oak Harbor, players have turned out in force for coach Dave Ward and his staff at the Wildcats’ two-week camp June 4 through 7 and June 11 through 14.

“I think we have about 120 kids,” Ward said.

Already, the Wildcats have a leg up on successfully defending their Class 4A state title, winning the seven-on-seven competition held June 9 at Edmonds.

“There were 10 or 12 teams down there including Mariner, Edmonds-Woodway, Lynnwood, Kamiak, Kings, Mountlake Terrace and Meadowdale,” Ward said. “I think we came the furthest and we came out on top.”

Ward said some of the younger players are worried about having some “big shoes” to fill this season due to graduation.

“They just need to relax and get better every day. Things will come around,” he said.