EAST MOLINE, Ill. — There's a bit more than footballs flying around at practice at United Township High School these days. 2024 marks the first year that Coach Nick Welch and his team have used a drone to record their practices and games.
"It was a very smooth process, and it's really transformed our ability to evaluate practice and then game film with our players, and I think they enjoy it, and I don't think we're ever going to go back," Welch said.
Jaydin Berry is a football manager at United Township and is also one of their drone operators.
"I love football. I love watching it. I grew up watching it with my dad, and I've always had a passion for filming. My god mom, she's a photographer, so she kind of got me into the filming, and it's a perfect position," Berry said.
Just 12 miles away as the drone flies, North Scott has used the technology for several years.
"It's great for us, and the angle is perfect," North Scott Coach Kevin Tippet said.
Grace Bunn has been a manager at North Scott for four years, and now she's keeping a watchful eye on the sky.
"It's a different point of view of their place, so they can see it from a different angle, so a tie and above, so you can see it straight down, so you can see more errors you're making. So try to fix those. It's just a better viewpoint," Bunn said.
Both drone operators said they were nervous the first time they started flying at practice.
"I thought I was gonna go crashing down the floor once you got it up there," Berry said.
"I got a hang of it really quick, but it's pretty easy to up there and stay," Bunn said.
For coaches and players, the drones have given some new perspective.
"When we see down, it gives us good line splits. We can see steps. We can see spacing for receivers. I mean, just the video angle is great," Tippet said.
"I think one of the biggest advantages has been teaching our quarterbacks and our receivers as well, because you can really teach your progressions. You can identify coverage. You almost get their view, but just from 50 feet in the air," Welch said.