Local Sports
Flag football season kicks off
Special to
Published: June 15, 2012
The Highlands County YMCA and Highlands Youth Football Eagles as a joint venture teamed up for the second year to offer flag football this year.Published: June 15, 2012
The teams began practicing for their flag football season on May 21. Teams were divided into four age group divisions 5 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 11 and 12 to 14 years old. Each division has four teams with approximately 15 players each.
Games began on June 2 at the YMCA Fields. It was very exciting, the fields were very crowded and a lot of action was on the football field. For the first time ever, YMCA cheerleaders were on the sidelines cheering the teams on.
"The season is going well, partnering with the Eagles has greatly improved the YMCA Youth flag football program," said YMCA Program Director Dave Scheck. "This year we had 130-140 kids participate with the Eagles bringing about 75 kids to the program.
"Cliff Howell, Executive Director for the Eagles did a lot of marketing and promoting the YMCA youth flag program which contributed to our numbers. The season was coordinated by Tim Hooks, President of the Eagles, Cliff and I. It was a great collaboration to get the season scheduled and ready to go. The Eagles coaches have come out in numbers to coach and provide support to the program, communication has been great and they share the same philosophies as the YMCA.
"The kids are competitive but they are being good sports. Sportsmanship and instilling Christian values is very important to the YMCA and Eagles. The teams pray together prior to the start of games," Scheck said.
The Eagles have really enjoyed this partnership with the YMCA and feels that it greatly benefits their program as well. One of the benefits of the flag football for the Eagles is to give the players and coaches an opportunity to begin to develop a relationship with their teammates and coaches.
Meeting their teammates gives them an opportunity to become friends and know one another when they may see each other during the summer before the fall season begins in July. HYFC Coaches feel that the game of football is really more about teaching life lessons of sportsmanship, working together as a team and building relationships.
The Eagles Coaching Director, Sonny Harris, truly believes in getting the players physically fit and building the chemistry as a team is one of the most important steps in fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.
A lot of good hustling and football was on display on Saturday. As with every game day there were some wins and losses, but it isn't always about the win. Coaches from the YMCA and Highlands Eagles Staff are committed to teaching the kids about having fun, learning the fundamentals of football, developing relationships, playing as a team and demonstrating good sportsmanship.
The season will last for four more weeks with the next game on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at the Highlands County Sports Complex.
Come on down to see some football and support your local YMCA and Highlands Youth Football Association.