Gridiron Youth Magazine (Fall 2012)

Middle Tennessee’s Leading Youth Community Football Magazine for Parents, Youth and Sports Officials Fall 2012

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Discover Top Community Teams In Our Region

JACKSON HANNAH (BRENTWOOD BLAZE) TIM COVINGTON (FRANKLIN ROAD ACADEMY)

Blazin’ With FRA Brentwood Blaze faces off against Franklin Road Academy for the first time.

PHOTOS BY NATHAN CROWDER

Post Season Bowl Games for Your Community Team

Gridiron

TABLE OF

Founder LaJuan Stoxstill-Diggs

Fall 2012

Feature

BLAZIN’ WITH F.R.A.

BY LAJUAN STOXSTILL-DIGGS

4 Advice From Coach Mike 10 To the Coach Exclusive info for Read about tips and coaches. ideas to help run a successful program.

13 Empowering Youth 5 League Standings Find out ways to help Discover top your child learn time community teams management. in our region as of October 6, 2012.

14 Events Activities and other 6 Highlights events around our Stay up to date with region. various teams around the leagues.

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Brentwood Blaze faces off against Franklin Road Academy for the first time.

Pictured here are players Jackson Hannah (Brentwood Blaze) and Tim Covington (Franklin Road Academy).

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Publisher Michael Thompson Editorial Contributors Byron Blandin Linette Daniels Mike Jones LaJuan Stoxstill-Diggs Advertising Sales LaJuan Stoxstill-Diggs Published by Michael David Media P.O. Box 2513 | Brentwood, TN 37024 Tel. (615) 832-5388 | Fax (615) 832-1040 www.facebook.com/gridironyouthmagazine Lajuan@michaeldavidmedia.com

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GRIDIRON is published four times per year (August, September, October, November) by Michael David Media. Post Office Box 2513,

Brentwood, Tennessee 37024, (615) 832-5388. DISTRIBUTION: Free subscription to qualified recipients. See Website for additional distribution information. All rights are strictly reserved, and reproduction in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher. GRIDIRON is funded privately and is not affiliated with--nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of--the local community football leagues, sports associations, its advertisers, or any other entities.

GRIDIRON is printed in the USA. Web address: http://www.michaeldavidmedia.com. Copyright © 2012 Michael David Media.

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Advice FROM COACH MIKE As League directors, administrators, parents, and football coaches at all levels, we must adapt a continuous improving model for the application of Safe football practices and Proper football techniques within each and every one of our youth football leagues here in Middle Tennessee. Here are a few suggestions for you to consider:

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ake a commitment to have your coaches visit with High School, and college coaches to talk, demonstrate, and perhaps give you film of the hitting/tackling drills that they use. Make their practice habits your habits.

As league directors, try to make all your teams schedule there hitting/tackling drills at the same time daily so that you can make evaluation rounds to ensure proper techniques are being taught.

Parents, be aware of improper technique being practiced by a coach. If the child is at risk of injury you must intervene.

Know your players ability and monitor who they compete against in practice and games.

Bealeaguethathasauniversallanguageforteaching tackling techniques. In the Lebanon Youth football League, we teach our kids to BITE THE FOOTBALL. Your face has to be up to bite. NO RAMMING. The practice of face down head to headcontactwillbepunished.

Be a League that has a continuing education policy for football coaches. Have coaches clinics, and teach your coaches the proper drills for teaching football techniques. Study video in these clinics, even YouTube has great football drills available.

Lets raise the standard for the application of Safe football practices and Proper football techniques in our youth football leagues here inn middle Tennessee. Our kids deserve that from us.

Mike Jones spent 9 years in the NFL as a defensive lineman. He has played in two Super Bowls and retired with the Tennessee Titans. He is currently an assistant coach with Lebanon High school and the Lebanon Blue Devils community league.

GYM

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League STANDINGS As of October 5, 2012 these are the top 3 leaders in Midstate AAA and BBB. For current standings visit: http://leaguelineup.com/msyfl AAA UNA Bears 6-0 Neely's Bend Tigers 6-0 Lavergne Wolverines 5-1 BBB UNA Bears 6-0 Hendersonville Knights 5-1 Lavergne Wolverines 4-2 As of October 5, 2012 these are the top 3 leaders in TNYFL AAA and BBB. For current standings visit: www.tnyfl.org AAA Brentwood Blaze 4-1 Blackman Blaze 4-0 Franklin Cowboys 2-3 BBB Blackman Blaze 4-1 Franklin Cowboys 4-1 Spring Hill Coyotes 2-2

Central Conference Bellevue Steelers 5-0 East Side Bobcats 4-2 Waverly Belmont Bulldogs 4-1 American Conference Middle Tennessee Bulldogs 5-0 Lebanon Blue Devils 5-1 Grassland Golden Eagles 4-1 BBB National Conference Smyrna Bulldogs 5-1 Mt. Juliet Bears 4-1 Goodlettsville Trojans 3-2 Central Conference Shelbyville Eagles 6-0 Waverly Belmont Bulldogs 4-1 Bellevue Steelers 3-2 American Conference Lebanon Blue Devils 6-0 Nolensville Panthers 4-1 Cookeville Cavaliers 3-2

As of October 5, 2012 these are the top 3 leaders in TYFA AAA and BBB. For current standings visit: www.tyfa.org.

AAA National Conference Bordeaux Eagles 5-0 Old Hickory Bulldogs 5-0 Donelson Hermitage Warriors 4-1

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Highlighting Various

Teams Around

BY LAJUAN STOXTILL-DIGGS

MIDSTATE

two baseball/softball fields, picnic shelter and playground.

URC also owns a two-story building containing offices, meeting rooms and equipment storage.

West Nashville Broncos www.westnashvillebroncos.com West Nashville Broncos are the youth football and cheerleading squads of West Nashville Youth Sports, a non-profit organization. Headquartered at Hadley Park in Nashville, Tennessee, the organization is open to youth 5-14 years from throughout middle Tennessee. As a result of hard work and excellent coaches, our teams and cheer squads have won multiple "National Championships". All Broncos coaches are certified through USA Football, the national governing body for youth football in the United States. The Broncos are proud members of Mid-State Youth Football League.

2011 Post Appearances CC Broncos - Contenders Bowl CC Broncos - Ironman Bowl CCC Broncos - MSYFL Championships CCC Broncos - National Champ. - Daytona Beach, FL JPW Broncos - Contenders Bowl TWP Broncos - MSYFL Championships BBB Broncos MSYFL - Classic Championships BBB Broncos National Championships - Daytona Beach, FL Provided by website and Facebook page UNA Bears www.una.bears.org Una Bears Youth Football provides opportunities for boys and girls ages 5-12 in football and cheerleading in Nashville, TN. Una Recreation Center (URC) is co-located with Una Recreation Park, a 26 acre complex located in southeastern Nashville, TN. URC is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the development of the community youth. URC provides recreational opportunities in Cheerleading and Football. The park consists of 2 competition football fields, 2 multi-purpose fields,

2011 Una Bear Championships AAA – Mid-State, Battle In Rocky Top National Champs BBB – Mid-State, Battle In Rocky Top National Champs CCC – Mid-State, Choo-Choo Bowl National Champs CC – Mid-State C – Mid-State DPW-1 – Mid-State Provided by website

TNYFL Spring Hill Coyotes www.stationhillcoyotes.com Founded in 2010, the Spring Hill Coyotes offers a youth football and cheerleadi n g p r ogram for children ages 414, who reside in and around Williamson and Maury Counties in Middle Tennessee. Every child with the desire to participate will get the opportunity to play, without regard to prior experience, athletic ability, size or financial commitment. All members and coaches of the Coyotes Program shall bear in mind that the attainment of exceptional athletic skills or the winning of a game is secondary, and the molding and mentoring of future citizens is of primary importance.

2011 Achievements Peewee Champions - MSYFL Classic CCC Contenders Bowl Champions - MSYFL AAA 2nd Place - MSYFL Classic Peewee Champions - Tom

* Teams are featured at random. See future issues for a highlight of other teams.

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d the Leagues Mcfarland Classic CCC Champions - Tom Mcfarland Classic

2011 Championships BBB-TYFA

Provided By Website

Provided by website

Brentwood Blaze www.tnyfl.org/brentwoodblaze

Bordeaux Eagles http://www.bordeauxeagles.net

As a member of the TNYFL, we are a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of providing a fun, safe, educational, and recreational program for youth football and cheerleading (ages 5-14) in the Brentwood area of Williamson County.

As a member of the Tennessee Youth Football Alliance (TYFA), we are a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of providing a fun, safe, educational, and recreational program youth (ages 514) in the Bordeaux area of Davidson County.

2011 Championship Teams AA-TYFA A-White-TYFA B-Gray-TYFA CCC-TYFA

TYFA

2011 Championships Varsity-TYFA AAA (National Conference)-TYFA BBB (National Conference)-TYFA B-1 (National Conference)-TYFA CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Bellevue Steelers www.teampages.com (Search Bellevue Steelers) Bellevue Steelers Football and Cheerleading has provided the Bellevue Community with a venue for youth football and cheerleading for more than 40 years. Managed by a voluntary board of directors under the non-profit auspices of the Bellevue Athletic Association, Inc., the Bellevue Steelers provide a safe, fun team environment for more than 400 kids 5 to 15 each year to enjoy the game of football and the sport of cheerleading.

2011 Bordeaux Eagles - AAA GRIDIRON YOUTH MAGAZINE

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Blazin’ With F.R.A.

JACKSON HANNAH TIM COVINGTON

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BY LAJUAN STOXSTILL-DIGGS PHOTOS BY NATHAN CROWDER

On a chilly, misty Monday afternoon, when most middle school boys and girls are in the comfort of their homes getting ready for the next school day.

But, two Gridiron teams were preparing to face off in an inaugural game on the hill at Franklin Road Academy.

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he Franklin Road Academy Panthers middle school squad hosted the Brentwood Blaze AAA in a game that provided tons of entertainment and sportsmanship on and off the field. Franklin Road Academy went on to win this game against the Brentwood Blaze 20-8 and giving their 7th graders momentum to build off of for next year.

Weeks earlier Franklin Road Academy's middle school football team earned national spotlight on ESPN's Sports Center with the number one play of the week.

Some have coined the play as “Middle School Miracle,” in reference to the “Music City Miracle” play by the Tennessee Titans on January 8, 2000. In an amazing twist, the Titans used the same play again three days later vs. the Detroit Lions. Check this out! #37 (Tim Covington) scored the touchdown for FRA. #37 scored the touchdown for the Titans. FRA won its game 44-41 and the Titans won their game 44-41.

The Brentwood Blaze Youth Football and Cheerleading program is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of providing an educational and recreational program for youth in the Brentwood area of Williamson County, Tennessee. The emphasis is upon being a winner in life.

The Brentwood Blaze home field is located at Crockett Park in Williamson County.

Franklin Road Academy (FRA) is a coeducational, college-preparatory school, serving qualified students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

Founded in 1971, FRA is a caring and supportive community of parents, teachers, and students within an inclusive Christian environment. FRA's mission is: To instill in our students a lifelong love of learning, emphasizing academic excellence and college preparation To develop students of integrity with Christian values to sustain and lead them in lives that will make a difference To guide students to discover needed balance for life through opportunities in the arts, athletics, and activities For more information about Brentwood Blaze visit: www.brentwoodblaze.org For more information about Franklin Road Academy visit:www.franklinroadacademy.com GYM

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To the Coach:

How to Save Time during Youth Football Practice Sessions

BY BYRON BLANDIN

Youth footballisa greatactivityforyoungmen to participate in. Youth sports like football are beneficial to young people for a varietyof reasons.

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t provides a great outlet for physical exercise, making it a good option to keep kids fit and healthy instead of spending their free time sitting on the couch watching television. Playing on a football team helps kids work as a team and in groups to accomplish team oriented goals rather than focusing solely on the self. Coaching young people in the sport of football can be a real challenge, especially when it comes to wasting practice time.

A youth football practice session is only a couple of hours long, meaning that you as the coach or trainer do not have much time to work with your team. It is difficult to teach anything to a group of young people in such a short amount of time and have them retain what they have learned. Add to this the fact that most young people have short attention spans

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and you can see how easy it is to waste those precious moments during practice and how that can have a negative impact on what you are trying to accomplish during the session. Even when you take breaks and there is no instruction during the break, you are wasting hours over the length of the entire season.

There are many different ways you can avoid wasting time during a youth football practice session.

Many teams use scrimmage matches and games as a tool to help sharpen the skills learned during instruction times and to allow players to see how these skills apply to a given situation. Most teams use scrimmage vests to tell the two scrimmage teams apart from each other. Rather than waste time with vests which can take up to five or six minutes to put on, make the switch to caps. These caps simply slide over your team's safety helmets and are much more affordable than the vests.

Another way to save time during youth football practice is to take five minute water breaks with special times of instruction. This means sitting the team down allowing them to rest a minute and re-hydrate.

While they are sitting and resting, you can use that time to teach a new play or to share some instruction regarding a certain fundamental or position. This enables you to be productive during every minute of your practice time.

GYM

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

coaches and team personnel are all volunteers and work hard to make our organization the best for your children.

Smyrna Bulldogs http://www.smyrnayouthfootball.org Our league offers participation for boys and girls in recreational football and cheerleading. Ages 5 thru 14 can participate in two year age classes.

Games are played at the Smyrna Lee Victory Recreational Park on Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna and at 17 other facilities around the middle Tennessee area.

2011 Championships C (National Conference) -TYFA Goodlettsville Trojans http://www.goodlettsvilleyouthfootball.com We are located in Moss Wright Park in the heart of the Goodlettsville Community. We are excited to welcome new families into our program. We are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide the youth of our area with a positive and safe football and/or cheerleading experience that develops their individual skills, physical fitness, competitive spirit, sportsmanship and ability to contribute as part of a team.

2011 Championships CC (National Conference) – TYFA Clarksville Greyhounds www.eteamz.com/ClarksvilleGreyhoundsYouthFootball

The fall of 2012 marks the 4th year that Clarksville Greyhounds Youth Football will provide Clarksville area children with the opportunity to participate in a sports program that teaches the fundamentals of football, teamwork and sportsmanship. Clarksville Greyhounds Youth Football is a traveling team that plays football in and around the Middle Tennessee Area. Ages 5-14 are represented and each age group also has cheerleaders.

2011 Championships Runner Up- Junior Pee Wees (TYFA) Runner Up- 11/12 year olds (TYFA) Information provided by league representative

GYM

Donelson Hermitage Warriors http://www.dhwarriors.com We provide an encouraging environment for children 512 years old that desire the opportunity to participate and grow in youth football & cheerleading. We are a 501c nonprofit corporation. Our Board of Directors,

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2011 Smyrna Bulldogs - C - White www.facebook.com/gridironyouthmagazine

Empowering Youth:

HELP YOUR CHILD LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT

BY LINETTE DANIELS These days, everyone is busy. This is true even for kids.

You complain about juggling work, household tasks, school activities and family time. You feel out of control with so much to do and too little time to get things done. You get frantic about picking the kids up on time, getting dinner on the table, caring for the screaming little one who demands a lot of attention, and even a simple bedtime routine turns chaotic.

While it is true that time management for parents is a challenge, it also holds true that when you use good time management skills, you set a good example for your kids.

Helping your children structure their day makes it easier for everyone to get things done. It also makes the time you spend with your children more enjoyable. The following little tips are tested as super helpful.

Help your child set goals.

What do you want? Where are you going?

organize themselves is significant. Praise them for their growth each time they make a reasonable decision. Example, "That makes good sense. Great job!”

Routine and Flexibility.

Children know they have time set aside for the regular activities in their lives. They get up the same time each morning to go to school and go to bed at the same time each night. They have a daily time for play, doing school work and chores, and they begin to learn that a schedule helps them accomplish more. Your child will benefit from having a consistent routine but it is also important to teach them flexibility. You know, like when life happens!

WHEN YOUR CHILDREN COMPLETE A TASK, ALLOW THEM TO REWARD THEMSELVES.

The younger they are the more difficult they will find these questions. Your job as a parent is to help them gain a clear sense of what they want to accomplish; a goal that your child can visualize as worth achieving. Talk to them about what they want and help them focus on an outcome they like. Involve them in picturing that favorable outcome and setting their goals. Do not overburden them with all the things they SHOULD DO. Instead let them learn goal setting by reaching for something they really desire. Start when they are young and continuously widen the scope, and before you know it your child will have a pattern of setting and achieving his or her goals.

Divide and Conquer.

To manage big tasks, teach your kids to 'divide and conquer'. Have them practice dividing task into manageable parts. Make sure they include the required time, resources and the steps needed to accomplish the task.

You can guide them in scheduling the steps but let them create a schedule they can follow. Your child learning to

Brag time.

Parents guide, encourage, listen and praise. When your children complete a task, allow them to reward themselves. Help them announce their accomplishments because it will affirm that they have done good work and will encourage them to continue.

Here are some brag ideas your child can do:

£ Read samples to an appreciative listener.

Grandparents are always good for listening. £ Post finished works on a bulletin board or the refrigerator. To keep the space from getting cluttered, pick a designated spot for showcasing and remove an item when your child wants to display something new. £ Check tasks off as they are achieved. Younger children will enjoy getting a smiley face sticker too. £ Send samples via email to friends or relatives.

This works great if you have a scanner at home.

Just brag about it: "I did it. I knew I could do it!"

GRIDIRON YOUTH MAGAZINE

GYM

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Events

Which Bowl’s For You?

Choosing The Right Post Season Bowl For Your Team.

Battle In Rocky Top Nov16-18

The proud city of Knoxville, Tennessee since 2006 has been home to the largest youth football tournaments in the state of Tennessee and one of the largest in the entire Country! With brand new "Schumpert Park" now built we are able to take on more teams.

Shumpert Park is a mini version of the always popular John Tarleton Park (which has five football fields at one venue, not soccer fields, FOOTBALL FIELDS). Shumpert Park will have three full lighted football fields outfitted with scoreboards, bleachers and bermuda grass. We anticipate hosting over 300 teams again this fall, make sure youdon'tmissit!

If you like really well organized, fun & fair events then these are for you and your team. We do not tolerate any teams cheating, you will be dismissed from the event w/ no refund and we will go out of our way to ensure every tournament across north America knows your business and conduct. We will also contact your league and association president to let them know your actions. Bottom line, play fair, its a game for kids, win and lose w/ the same amount of class. We encourage everyone to be good examples for our children as they arethefuture.

Formoreinformation visit: www.leaguelineup.com/battleinrockytop Annual Choo-Choo Bowl November23-24 The 14th Annual Choo-Choo Bowl will take place in Chattanooga, TN from November 23-24. The cost is for this is $200.00 ( $155.00 if paid by October 12,2012) which includes: a max of five coaches' passes, one team mom pass, and a two game minimum. We take the teams that apply until we are full. Discount for leagues with multiple teams. Pay early and save money. To enter you must send in ALL PAPERS which include registration form, fee, your league roster, Choo-Choo Bowl roster sheet and hotel info no exceptions. The DEADLINE is November 16, 2012. For more information visit: www.chattanoogafun.com SnapperBowl(44th Annual) November21-24 At the World's Most Beautiful Beaches, Panama City Beach Fl. The SnapperBowl Classic attracts some of the best teams from all over

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the United States. From California, Philadelphia Texas, to Florida.

Where only the Best come to Play. The SnapperBowl Classic is a True Double Elimination Tournament over a three Day Period til only One team remains in each Division. This Thanksgiving Classic originated in 1967 by people like you, who enjoyed coaching youth football. Hard work by dedicated volunteers past and present have kept this fun filled Thanksgiving youth football classic alive. The SnapperBowl is back in the spirit it was conceived. The SnapperBowl committees, officers cordially Invites your eligible programs to this Historical Thanksgiving youth football event. For moreinformation visit:www.snapperbowl.com TurkeyDayClassic November23-25

“TheNational Championship of Youth Football” Looking for REAL youth football competition? You've found it!

Turkey Day Classic, the largest youth football tournament in the United States, is where only the best compete. In its fifteen plus years, Turkey Day Classic has seen over 650 teams fight for the esteemed TDC title in three different states. The best youth teams deserve to be officiated by top officials, which is why Turkey Day Classic games are administrated by some of the finest in the country, including from the ACC, SWAC, the National Indoor Football League, as well as college and high school football officials from Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana and Kentucky.

Formoreinformation visit: www.turkeydayclassic.net Mark your calendar for the 3rd annual Dunkin' Donuts/Baskin-Robbins Family Day on Sunday, November 11 in Nashville! Join us for live Featuring Coco Jones, 14- entertainment, an indoor year-old Disney star of Let carnival and interactive Sports Arena including InIt Shine, So Random!, flatable Basketball, Football, Good Luck Charlie, and Soccer, and T-Ball Games, Radio Disney.

Bungees, Photo Booth, Games, and more. Decorate your own Dunkin' Donut and create your own Baskin-Robbins Sundae!

Make a Card for cancer patients!

Tickets are $50 for a Family of Four.

Individual tickets are only $15 or for $150 your family (4 people) can join our family for the “Our Family” VIP Reception prior to doors opening to meet our Family Day performers!

GYM

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Gridiron Youth Magazine Middle Tennessee’s Leading Youth Community Football Magazine

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