Youth football players who want to get back on the field and play are encouraged to attend the 2012 Football University (FBU) Combine, held at Avery High School.

The event takes place on May 5 with registration starting at 3 p.m. and activities beginning at 4:30.

Young players from many western North Carolina Counties, including Ashe, Watauga, Alleghany, and Avery, are invited to attend and tryout for the western regional team that will compete in different football tournaments throughout the southeast and the country.

This is the second year that the FBU has fielded a national tournament, but this will be the first year that the western region of the state has had a team. Last year, any athlete in this area of the state had to drive to Charlotte to try out.

Players eligible to attend the 2012 combine are those that will be in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade in the 2012-2013 school year. The seventh and eighth grade teams will compete nationally while the sixth grade team will compete regionally.

During this May 5 tryout, players will be timed in the 40-yard dash as well as the shuttle run. Players will go through workouts based on the position they are trying out for, and will also compete in 7-on-7 drills.

Unlike many other tryouts, coaches here will make sure to teach players the correct techniques, rather than simply ignore them. Not only will players get the competition experience, but they will also get instruction from the coaches involved.

Team members will be informed via email once the players have been chosen.

The cost of the combine will be $40 and only cash will be accepted. Registration will take place on the day of the tryout.

If you have any more questions, call Donnie Johnson at (828) 260-7950 or email him at djohnson@footballuniversity.org.