Menard athletes in grades 4, 5 and 6 were able to get a dose of youth football this year, thanks to MISD Athletic Director Bryson Oliver and a determined group of dads.
In years past, there has been inconsistent efforts to establish a youth football program for the youngsters of Menard. Many variables played into that, including the seemingly constant shuffle of coaching staffs from year to year. Coach Oliver stresses the importance of this age group learning basics and knowing how to run plays before they arrive in junior high athletics with no previous hands-on experience.
Oliver had researched other area programs as a starting point, and most were playing padded, tackle ball at this age. Tyler Wright, father of a 4th grader, quickly gathered interested parents and 4-6th graders and arranged to join both Junction and Mason in a casual 7-on-7 touch football season. 7-on-7 is ideal for Mason and Junction as 11-man teams, in that student athletes of all ages play 7-on-7 in the spring and also over the summer. For Menard, the format was also idyllic, as it would not differ drastically from the 6-man game.
Coach Oliver and organizers agreed that this year’s participation would not be tackle, allowing the young athletes a chance to learn basics rather than be constantly have the concern of getting hit. Padded youth tackle competition is not out of the question in the future; it was just not a fit this year. Organizers also hope to include younger ages as well, as time, funds and participation permits. The “Lil’ Jackets” played both Junction and Mason twice in the six-week period, capping off the season with a friendly game against some parents, their coaches and high school coaches.
The future is bright for Menard Yellowjacket Football!