Dunkirk High School graduate Adrien Washington and Fredonia High School graduate Nick Whitfield Jr. hosted a youth football clinic at the Salvation Army in Dunkirk on Thursday to pass on their knowledge to a group of local youth.

“We’re just trying to expose the area — we aren’t really looked at as a football area.

The more kids that put the interest in the sport, with me and Adrien sharing our knowledge from playing at the next level, it won’t hurt for us to come here,” said Whitfield.

“We’re teaching simple stuff that will make them a little better each day. If they fall in love with it like we did, they can end up playing at the next level too.”

Nick Whitfield Jr. demonstrates a drill to youth football players.

Washington is a defensive lineman for Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. He played four years of varsity football as a menacing force on the line for the Dunkirk Marauders under head coach Mike Sarratori. Washington graduated in 2020.

“Remembering the feeling how it was when we were younger, I worked out in the offseason but it could’ve been taken up a level. I remember how that was and I wanted to do what I could to help them,” said Washington.

Washington said his ability to relate to kids in the area who are now following in his footsteps is the key to helping others grow.

“Knowing the Dunkirk School System and how it is to play at Dunkirk, I know how it is and I can relate to them.

I can show them this is how you can be better, this is what I wish I would have done,” Washington said.

Adrien Washington was a standout member of the line for the Dunkirk Marauders football team during his four years in high school.

Whitfield is a quarterback for Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa. Whitfield was the star quarterback of the Fredonia Hillbillies under head coach Greg Sherlock. Whitfield matured in his role as quarterback and team captain to become a leader on and off the field, as he helped lead the Hillbillies to a berth in the Section VI championship game at Highmark Stadium in his senior season before his graduation in 2022.

Both players scheduled the clinic together on short notice because they came home for the holidays to visit family.

They each demonstrated various drills to the group of young football players in attendance.

“Honestly the work pays off. The more time you put in the weight room, on the field, off the field in the film room, it all pays off one day. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it,” Whitfield said.