Over the course of the past few years, the state of local youth football programs has been in constant flux.
While younger players are largely unaffected by the rise of organized school squads, A-Teams are tottering on the brink of extinction.
Wallenpaupack Area and Western Wayne no longer even sponsor A-Teams, while Wayne Highlands has radically re-structured its squad just to survive.
“It’s definitely been a challenge these last couple of seasons,” longtime Stingers Coach Dave Young told TWI Sports. “We lost a lot of kids to the junior high teams. The first year we still had 30 players, then last year we dropped to 20 and this year we only have 10.”
Admittedly, it’s tough to play football with just 10 players on an entire roster. So, the All-County Confer-ence of Junior Football has made some adjustments.
“We’re playing 8-on-8 now,” Coach Young said. “It’s a wide open offensive game. There are two less lineman and one less back, but the game is still played on a regulation sized field. So, there’s lots of room for the kids to run around.”
Wayne Highlands will officially kick-off its 2010 campaign Sunday evening in Dunmore.
Brand New Game
This year’s edition of the Stingers A-Team will be led by a quartet of captains.
Coach Young expects to receive solid leadership from the likes of Trent McConnell, TJ Knash and Dominic Farina.
Reed will be under center as the Stingers’ starting QB. McConnell is his team’s most vocal leader and featured tailback.
Knash should line up at fullback, while Farina is a starting tight end.
“We only have four play-ers coming back,” Coach Young said. “We don’t have much experience, so those four will really have to step it up for us.”
Wayne Highlands opens its ‘10 slate with two games against perennial ACCJF powerhouses Dunmore and Olyphant.
“Those games are going to be a real challenge,” said Coach Young. “But, after that, I think we have a shot at winning every game.”
