Perry varsity head football coach Matt Hardy knows all too well that the success of any high school sport is heavily dependent on the quality of the youth programs in each community.
Desiring to see increased participation for football in Perry, Hardy began reaching out last year to area schools, and as a result a new youth football league will begin play this year.
Perry will be joining ADM, DC-G, Johnston and Norwalk in the already-established Metro Youth League, which offers football for boys and girls in grades 3-6. The varsity head coach at each school — Garrison Carter (ADM), Scott Heitland (DC-G), Brian Woodley (Johnston), Paul Patterson (Norwalk) and whoever is hired to replace the resigned Hardy at Perry — will lead their respective leagues.
“The goal here is to create interest in football but, crucially, to teach the sport in a fun and safe way,” Hardy said. “There will be a strong emphasis on proper techniques and safety.”
Those wishing to coach in the league will have to apply, and will be required to take an online training safety session before being allowed to instruct youth. Additionally, the Perry High School coaching staff will hold a coaches clinic for the youth coaches, helping to insure the appropriate and proper practice techniques are used.
The league will have each grade play against each other and while game scores will be kept, team records will not, and there will be no postseason. All players will be guaranteed at least 15 plays in each game, and all players will play all positions on a rotation basis.
There are stringent guidelines and rules preventing the building of “all-star” teams, and no player may play “up” or “down” a grade. The highly-successful Cedar Rapids league is the model for the local group.
Teams in grades 3-5 will play 8 vs. 8 on a field 40 yards long, with the width set by the top of the numbers on the field. Two games will be played at the same time. League rules require all games be played on turf fields, therefore all contests will be held at either ADM, Johnston or Norwalk. Games will be played on Sundays.
Hardy said several of the strengths his fellow coaches have seen with the league is that it mirrors the step-by-step approach that introduces the game in stages, with age-appropriate skills being taught and an exciting style of play offered. A strong emphasis on fundamentals and safety is stressed, and players are free to join at any level — they need not begin at third grade.
Third grade teams will play flag football, with players wearing soft helmets, similar to wrestling head gear.
Fourth grade teams will continue to play flag football, but players will wear shoulder pads and helmets, with fifth graders playing tackle football in full gear, but still in an 8 vs. 8 format on a reduced field.
Sixth grade teams will play traditional football (11 vs 11) on a regulation field and with full gear and contact.
“Each team is going to be allowed to have one coach in the huddle,” Hardy said. “And there are some strict restrictions on the number of formations you can use on offense or defense. For instance, the third grade can use only three different formations on offense and one on defense and those are the same for all teams.”
“As you advance in grade more formations are allowed, but the idea is to teach the game and not have some wild drawn-up formation fool young kids,” he added. “The goal here is to teach and have fun in a safe environment. I also like that kids will move positions during the games, so you don’t have one team with a real burner running the ball on every play — everyone will have a chance to play all over the field.”
The cost for Perry players in third grade will be $60 and grades 4-6 $100. In comparison, DC-G charges $250 per player, and all others charge considerably higher fees than Perry, Hardy noted.
“The old Perry Giants and Titans 10 years ago charged $100, so you haven’t seen the price go up at all,” he said. “We think it is very fair.”
Practices will begin in mid-August, with games beginning in early September.
An informational meeting will be held for all interested parents and anyone willing to volunteer or assist in any way at the Perry Performing Arts Center May 13 at 6:30 p.m. Registration forms will be available at the meeting, and information will also be distributed through the Perry schools.
The founding members currently have websites available, with ADM as well as DC-G and Johnston and Norwalk providing full details on the league.
Questions about the Perry league can be emailed to BluejayYouthFootball@gmail.com. The league can also be followed on Facebook and Twitter @PerryYFL.
