Published in the February 26, 2016 edition
THE MELROSE Youth Football and Cheering League will return in the fall for another exciting season. Registration remains open now. (courtesy photo)
MELROSE — Just a few years ago, the Melrose Youth Football and Cheer league was born thanks to the efforts of local coaches and residents who wanted their young athletes to compete in an all-inclusive environment for age and grade eligible players.
Since then, the league has seen great achievement. In 2015 the team’s fifth and sixth grade team advanced to the Super Bowl for the second straight year, losing to Medford in a great hard fought game, while just the season before Melrose beat Medford to earn a Commonwealth Youth Football Conference Championship. The league’s third and fourth grade team made major improvements from year one and show great promise this upcoming season. Last season culminated in the league’s Conference Championship games that were held at Fred Green Field at Melrose High School.
The league, headed by President Jonathan Pietrantonio, is now entering its third year in existence, essentially replacing Pop Warner, to offer all-inclusive football in a safe, controlled and competitive environment. Board member Zack Pietrantonio spoke of how the teams are advancing. “Our flag football is really teaching the fundamentals and rules of the game. Each year we have a jamboree which they did great in. Throughout the season they kept getting better.”
The league’s cheering teams enjoyed great success at the annual league competition with a number of awards earned by their flag, freshmen and junior varsity teams. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity occurred last season when the team cheered with the New England Patriot Cheerleaders. Overall the cheering league is a great opportunity to give budding athletes the experience necessary to compete at the high school level.
2016 is gearing to be another exciting season. Registration is now open online at www.melroseyouthfootball.com and the site contains information about the upcoming season. Teams include: First and scond grade Flag Football. Head Coach: Bruce Jangro. Registration free: free. Third and fourth grade Tackle Football. Head Coach. Skip DelGenio. FEE- $100. Fifth snd sixth grade Tackle Football. Head Coach. Steve Fogarty- FEE- $100. Seventh and eighth grade Tackle Football. Head Coach Zack Pietrantonio. FEE- $100. The maximum per family cost is capped at $200 per family.
Melrose Youth Football and Cheer is a non-profit organization and associate member of the Commonwealth Youth Football Conference. The CYFC is affiliated with American Youth Football and Cheer. Melrose Youth Football and Cheer is always looking for coaches and volunteers. If you would like to coach you can sign up online or with questions please contact Melrose Youth Football and Cheer at info@melroseyouthfootball.com.
