by Pat Turner, CONTRIBUTING WRITER , San Antonio Express-News

Not only did they receive an overwhelming response, but the two found out they enjoyed it as well. They enjoyed it enough to have a summer repeat this year at Powerhouse Athletics. The current session ends this week, but another is scheduled for July 7-9.

Like the previous seasons, the two loved being the teachers. This year, however, things are a little different. In addition to the knowledge they received during their time at Smithson Valley, the two completed their first year of college at Colorado School of Mines. Both were redshirted, but they still received enough valuable knowledge to deliver to their students.

"The camp was awesome last year and the kids talked about wanting to come to one this year," the 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback said. "We had a big turnout. I think that is a tribute to the program here.

"It's good that we went through Smithson Valley, because we can teach them what they are going to be doing. It's good that we went to college because we have a different experience we can incorporate to them."

College football seems to agree with both. They are bigger and stronger, plus they have seen their skills progress to a higher level.

Much of that improvement came during the red-shirt year. Sitting out a season was difficult, especially for two players who spent most of their playing careers in starting roles. Still, they made the most of the situation.

"The first year is always the hardest," Pawelek said. "I got to focus a lot on my classes. It's a very demanding school and you have to learn time management for football and classes. I had a chance to learn the offense and toughen up on my skills."

The overall atmosphere at Mines is much to their liking.

They love the campus, the Colorado climate and scenery. There's also a touch of home atmosphere as former Smithson Valley teammates Blaine Saathoff (sophomore linebacker) and Ryan Wood (freshman defensive back) are on the squad.

As far as football , they are part of a team on the rise. The Orediggers went 8-4 this past season to earn a trip to the Dixie Rotary Bowl. With much of the nucleus returning, another banner season is expected.

Pawelek and Renken hope to do their part.

Renken is battling for a starting receiver role. He made impressions during the offseason and spring training with the type of catches that made him a go-to-guy at Smithson Valley.

No doubt he would like to have that same reputation with Mines.

Thanks to this past year's orientation, he feels more comfortable about the situation.

"I never knew how many coverages there were until I got to college ," Renken said. "I had a chance to learn. I saw how much faster the game is in college and I feel like I got smarter, mainly on reading coverages. I learned the routes and more about the passing. We throw the ball more than we did in high school and there's a lot to learn."

As far as the quarterback position goes, senior David Pesek, who threw for 2,672 yards and 21 touchdowns, returns for his final season, meaning Pawelek is working in a backup role with two other candidates.

"We have a quarterback who has started for three years," Pawelek said. "I know I am going to get my time. I have to keep working and being ready to play when I get the chance."

For the time being, they're enjoying teaching others.

"We told the kids we would be back and have another one," Renken said. "It's great coming back to work with the kids. It helps to be at the next level, because it might get them to start thinking they can make it too if they work at it."

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