21st Century has huge numbers in football

Posted September 21, 2016 at 8:36 am

The 21st Little League Football Program continues to grow in the right direction. Clinton County is affiliated with the SKYY Conference which has allowed our players to compete and learn more about sportsmanship and competition than they would playing against each other. The SKYY Conference is made up of teams in surrounding counties.

It was a surprise to parents to learn we do not just play in Clinton County but travel to several counties. Clinton County will welcome the following to our football field on Saturday, September 24: Cumberland County, Monroe County, Russell County, Green County, and Metcalfe County.

“We have to stay focused on growing the program. Our players are playing against the same players they will play against when we are back in the district at the high school level. It is imperative we stay in this conference and play these teams so we are prepared when we compete against them in 7th and 8th grade and later on in high school,” Program Commissioner, Trisha Miller said.

Parents travel every Saturday to surrounding counties to watch their son suit up against the opponent.

“This is what it’s all about – being involved and supportive of my son from the first practice until the last game of the season”, said Judith Dyer, parent of a fifth and sixth grade player. “This is his sport, the only one he wants to play, I am behind him and the coaching staff every step of the way.”

This year, 24 cheerleaders grades K-6th grade will be cheering, many for the first time every Saturday in the fall.

“Football is the only sport that offers cheerleading for this age group. About five years ago I was at a little league practice and noticed several little sisters on the sides dancing and cheering, I knew then we had another opportunity for children in our community,” Miller said. “I sent out papers to see if anyone was interested and needless to say we haven’t had less than 20 cheerleaders on the squad in five years. These girls learn basic cheer motions, jumps, cheers, a dance and most of all they get to wear a “real” Clinton County cheer uniform. I always say at the beginning of the season our number one goal is to have fun and if you see these girls, their smiles tell you that is just what they are doing. This year Megan Lovelace Thompson has volunteered to help coach. We have always had good coaches, many former CCHS cheerleaders.”

Our first and second grade team has 17 kids and they are coached by Clifton Carter, Nic Upchurch, Chris Bell and Corey Arms. It is pure delight to see these young boys running, blocking and tackling. To an outsider it may appear they are rolling and wrestling but really this is what is looks like when six and seven year-olds are suited up in full football equipment. They are learning basic line up and drills and we are so proud of them. This is the future of our sport.

The third and fourth grade team will leave its mark in this conference. There are 24 players and several returned from last year; these Bulldogs are ready for the challenge of the conference teams.

They are coached by John Mason and Billy (Butter) Melton. They have a quarterback who is already running the option and have receivers who make the plays. Every position on this team is working on executing their responsibilities which makes this a team to keep an eye on for years to come. This team is made up of tough kids who enjoy the game.

The fifth and sixth grade team returned a host of Bulldogs from last year. There are 27 players on this team and they are one tough group of kids. They are resilient and ready for the challenge. This year they have a unique coaching staff; head Coach Thomas Owens, Jon Allen Cross and Noah Miller. Coach Owens was a four-year letterman at Wayne County High School and over the past several years has wanted to get back to football.

“We are excited with his knowledge and love for the game to have him on our coaching staff. He brings experience and discipline to this team,” Miller said.

Cross and Noah Miller are two familiar faces in football. Both started out playing little league and now are sophomores on the high school team. They bring an exclusive coaching style, one the younger players can relate to. They watch them play on Friday night, so they are seeing a little more fire in them during practice. These players are ready for the challenge and ready for a win. They have played hard and continue to learn new plays and drills every day. We have to note, this year was the first we had to show proof to the SKYY Conference Board that three of our players are really in the 6th grade because of their size. This is exciting for the future of our program. Clinton County is moving in the right direction and we are getting attention from other counties.

A special thank you to Sandra Guffey and the 21st Century Program who continues to make this Little League Program possible for the kids in our county.

Thank you to all our coaches for volunteering their time throughout the week and every Saturday. They are investing in each child, please support them for their thankless job.

Below is our schedule for the remainder of the year. We would love to have everyone join us Saturday here in Clinton County for our only home game.

For any questions or concerns, please contact Trisha Miller, Little League Program Commissioner.

SEPTEMBER 24 @ CLINTON COUNTY

3RD & 4TH – 9 AM – Clinton vs Cumberland

5TH & 6TH – 10 AM – Clinton vs Cumberland

3RD & 4TH – 11 AM – Clinton vs Monroe

1ST & 2ND – 1 PM – Clinton vs Monroe – game 1

1ST & 2ND – 1:30 PM – Clinton vs Metcalf – game 2

OCTOBER 8 @ MONROE

1ST & 2ND – 1 PM – Clinton vs Green – game 1

1ST & 2ND – 2 PM – Clinton vs Monroe – game 2

3RD & 4TH –3:30 PM – Clinton vs Green

5TH & 6TH – 4:30 PM – Clinton vs Green

OCTOBER 15 @ GLASGOW

5TH & 6TH – 9 AM – Clinton vs Glasgow

3RD & 4TH –10 AM – Clinton vs Glasgow

1ST & 2ND – 11 AM – Clinton vs Hart – game 1

1ST & 2ND – 11:30 AM – Clinton vs Hart – game 2

OCTOBER 22 @ GLASGOW

1ST & 2ND – 12 PM – Clinton vs Cumberland – game 1

1ST & 2ND – 12:30 PM – Clinton vs Hart – game 2

5TH & 6TH – 2:30 PM – Clinton vs Hart

3RD & 4TH –3:30 PM – Clinton vs Hart

OCTOBER 29 @ BARREN

1ST & 2ND – 2 PM – Clinton vs Green (1) – game 1

1ST & 2ND – 2:30 PM – Clinton vs Green (2) – game 2

1ST & 2ND – 3 PM – Clinton vs Edmonson – game 3

5TH & 6TH – 3 PM – Clinton vs Barren

3RD & 4TH –4:30 PM – Clinton vs Barren

NOVEMBER 5 @ GLASGOW

1ST & 2ND – 11 AM – Clinton vs Hart – game 1

1ST & 2ND – 11:30 AM – Clinton vs Hart – game 2

5TH & 6TH – 2 PM – Clinton vs Hart

3RD & 4TH –3 PM – Clinton vs Hart