By: Shane C. and Tony D.

9/26/03

Its fall and everyone knows football has started up again, from pros to the pewee leagues. I.H.M. has football teams from 1^st grade to 8^th. Many coaches have taken their time and effort to help these kids learn the game of football.

Flag football starts in 1^st grade and ends in 4^th, and the kids move on to tackle in 5^th and 6^th where there are 8 men on the field. Finally, one you reach 7^th and 8^th you start to play the full amount of men on the field which is 11.

In flag football you can start to learn the basics of football, such as; what a quarterback and a running back do and what you are supposed to do on defense. The rules are much different in CYO flag football than tackle football.

For example, you can not hit or touch when you’re blocking you have to keep your hands behind your back. You also cannot slide or dive when you are running the ball. Flag football is played on Saturday mornings at Mason Park; all of the teams play their last game at The Rubber Bowl.

After you have reached the 5^th and 6^th grade you can start to play 8 man tackle football. Instead of 11 men on the field there are only 8, but you can still hit like regular tackle football you just don’t have all of the positions. You can start to learn the physical part of football, like how to tackle and block.

Finally, you have reached 7^th and 8^th grade and you are playing real tackle football with 11 men on the field. With so many coaches you can learn much more at one time like, strong values and respect, blocking assignments more plays and how to play with everyone on the field.

8^th grade football players

From left: Shane C., Ricky C., Mike L., Tony Donn., Tony D., Austin J.