Welcome to SYC Football!
The SYC football program is an age based system. The birthday cut off is July 31. Your child's age on July 31 is the age that will determine their level of play.
Flag Football: ages 5-6
Freshman Division: ages 7
Sophomore Division: ages 8-9
Junior Division: ages 10-11
Senior Division: ages 12-13
Fees:
Flag Football
Until 07/01/23: $165.00
07/01/23 - 08/01/23: $175.00
After - 08/01/23: $185.00
Padded Football
Until 07/01/23: $225.00
07/01/23 - 08/01/23: $250.00
After - 08/01/23: $275.00
Listed below are the details regarding the five levels of play our youth football program offers:
Flag Football
Our flag program is for youth ages 5/6. It is designed to introduce your child to the world of football. Instead of tackling an opponent, a flag is pulled from a player's belt to cause a stoppage of play. Your child will learn the fundamentals and techniques of the game by rotating positions and developing skills for throwing and catching the ball..
The SYC provides each player with a jersey, shorts, sweatpants, mouthpiece and a belt with flags.
Freshman Division Football
Our Freshman program is a perfect introduction into tackle football. It is designed to provide your second grader (7 year old) with a safe immersion into wearing pads and will allow them to learn the sport at a developmental level (11-on-11 format) on a smaller, scaled down field to maximize both player safety and a fun experience.
The SYC provides each player at this level with a jersey and a mouthpiece to keep at the end of the season. We lend a helmet and football pants for the player to wear during the season. The helmet and pants must be returned at the end of the season.
The final three age levels are the Sophomore, Junior and Senior football teams. Each team consists of a Varsity team which is competitive and one or more Junior Varsity teams that are instructional.
The Varsity league has playoffs and a championship.
The Junior Varsity league plays a regular schedule and could have a possible bowl game.
Players on these teams will receive a helmet, game jersey, football pants and a mouthpiece. All of which must be returned at the end of the season with the exception of the mouthpiece.
Sophomore Football
Sophomore Football is for 8 and 9 year old players.
Your child will need cleats, shoulder pads, practice pants, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, a tail pad and a practice jersey.
Junior Football
At the Junior level, the SYC will field a Varsity and Junior Varsity (JV) team(s) in the Bert Bell League. This level of play continues to educate our 10 and 11 year olds on the fundamentals of football at the next level and strives to strengthen leadership, teamwork and friendship to create a team first attitude.
Your child will need cleats, shoulder pads, practice pants, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, a tail pad and a practice jersey.
Senior Football
Our Senior division is geared towards 12/13 year olds. This level of play aims to develop athletic excellence as well as provide a positive and motivating environment the encourages team work and leadership skills that will benefit our players both on and off the field.
The coaching staff will establish a TEAM 1st attitude, a family. They will encourage your child to work hard and reach their full potential. Most importantly, they will get your child prepared to exceed at the high school level.
Your child will need cleats, shoulder pads, practice pants, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, a tail pad and a practice jersey.
If you have any questions, please email us here.
Football FAQs
How long is the football season?
The football season starts in early September and ends early November.
When does practice start?
Practices for Sophomore though Senior levels typically begin the first week of August (heat acclimation) and usually run Monday through Thursday. This practice routine will continue throughout the month of August.
Once school starts, practice for these 3 levels will move to three days a week. Your coach will advise if the dates/times.
Rookie Tackle practice will typically start the second week of August. Practice is 3 days during August, then down to 2 once school year starts. Practices are held at the lower level of Memorial Park.
Flag teams will start practicing mid-August. They typically practice 3 days a week in August and move to 2 days a week during the school year. Practices will most like start at George Plank Field at Crowell Park (North Ave) and will eventually be moved to Memorial Park.
Where are the games held for flag football?
Home games are held at George Plank Field at Crowell Park (North Ave).
Away games are played at the opposing teams home field. Directions to away fields can be found by visiting our “Fields” page and clicking the applicable link at the bottom of the page.
Where are games held for rookie tackle football?
Games are rotated Home and Away. Some follow varsity schedule. Others are different depending on number of teams.
Roster size is determined by the number of registered players for division.
Where are practices/games held for other football levels (Sophomore through Senior)?
Practices are held on the upper (Sophomore and Senior) and lower fields (Junior) of Memorial Park before and during the season as specified by your coach.
Home games are held at George Plank Field at Crowell Park (North Ave) on Saturday or Sunday.
Away games are held at the opposing teams home field. Directions to away fields can be found by visiting our “Fields” page and clicking the applicable link at the bottom of the page.
Who sets up the practice schedules?
Schedules are set by the head coaches for their specified level. These schedules will be communicated to parents/guardians before and during the season.
What if we have vacation or functions planned during the month of August?
The SYC understands that your child may need to miss a practice/scrimmage/game in August and during the season. The player will not be penalized for missing; however, we do ask that you notify the Head Coach as a courtesy.
When are the games?
Our home games are played on Saturdays and Sundays at George Plank Field at Crowell Park (North Ave).
Away games are typically Saturday or Sunday as well. Your teams are notified accordingly of location.
Directions to away fields can be found by visiting our “Fields” page and clicking the applicable link at the bottom of the page.
How does the SYC assign players to teams?
The SYC coaching staff evaluates all registered children for the Sophomore through Senior levels during the August practices.
Each child in these groupings will practice with their applicable age group and be assigned to a team before the season starts in September.
How many teams does each level of play have (Sophomore through Senior)?
The SYC typically has a Varsity and at least one Junior Varsity team at each level of play. The players are assigned to a team based on skill level.
What equipment do I have to buy for flag football?
For flag football, you will just need to make sure your child has cleats.
The SYC provides everything else you need to play the game (uniform, belt, flags and mouthpiece).
What equipment do I have to buy for rookie tackle football?
For Rookie Tackle, you will need to buy cleats, shoulder pads, practice pants, athletic supporter(girdle), socks and cup/hip/knee/thigh pads.
Your registration fee covers use of a helmet, game pants, belt, mouthguard and chinstrap.
The SYC provides your child with a game jersey to keep at this level of play.
What equipment do I have to buy for pad (Sophomore through Senior level) football?
For pad football, you will need to buy cleats, shoulder pads, practice pants, athletic supporter(girdle), socks and cup/hip/knee/thigh pads.
Your registration fee covers use of a helmet, game jersey, game pants, belt, mouthguard and chinstrap.
What do I do if I miss the helmet/equipment distribution date?
If you are unable to attend the equipment handout date, please reach out to your coach so that you can coordinate a time/date.
Please note your child will not be permitted to participate in practice without the appropriate equipment.
How much does it cost to play?
Registration fees for football and cheer are posted on April 1st prior to the start of the season. Please check our website at that time for a breakdown of the current season's registration fees.
Is a health assessment required to play football?
A copy of your child’s most recent health assessment form is required to play football. It should be handed in at registration. Failure to submit one will prevent your child from playing once the season starts.
NOTE: For middle school students, the PIAA form is also acceptable for submission in lieu of a health assessment.
Why/when is a Birth Certificate required?
A birth certificate is required for new pad pad football players and when an I’d renewal is required (every 3 years). You will be required to bring your football player along with his/her original birth certificate to a location where Bert Bell Officials will take the player's picture and create a Bert Bell ID for him/her. This verifies that your child is the proper age for the division in which they are playing.
How long does the Bert Bell ID last?
This ID is good for 3 years. It will eventually need to be renewed if your child continues to play in the league.
The SYC and your coach will inform you of the locations and dates as soon as they are set by the League.
What division does the SYC belong to in the Bert Bell Memorial Conference League?
The SYC is part of the Central Division in the Bert Bell Memorial Conference League.
As a parent, how can I help?
The SYC is an ALL volunteer organization. Parents serve in many ways. This includes but is not limited to coaching, snack bar management and assistance, team parent duties, board membership, etc.
Your help is always needed during the season as long as it doesn’t interfere with your child’s football/cheer time. If you can help just reach out to a team parent or board member. We can always use you!
How can I help the club?
The SYC is always looking for help in all aspects of our program. Please contact us if you are willing to help in any way. We can advise on where we can use you to see if your interested.