Editor:

Football is lighting up America again. The NFL pre-season camps are open. Our own local semi-pro Ravens have played one game. Soon Spaulding Football will begin a season under the lights.

We hope again Spaulding will produce a competitive team/season, as the last six have left much to be desired.

One component that I believe could improve Spaulding football is the BYSA football program. Especially the performance of the 7-8 grade team. Obviously kids who learn football skills at those ages are likely to move faster through the high school systems than those that have not played before.

I have officiated youth football in central and northern Vermont for the last three years and my observation is that the high school teams that are highly competitive have strong youth teams in their area. This is especially true in terms of the size of the team rosters.

Barre Youth Football has had marginal numbers or rosters in past years, which I think does somewhat impact the Spaulding program. Thus, my reason for raising this subject is that the BYSA team will start their practices on August 11 and there is still time for players to sign up. For information about the program, parents can contact Heather West, the 2014 BYSA President at 461-6400 or by email at wildwest6@myfairpoint.net. Players can live anywhere in the Spaulding school district plus Williamstown, Northfield, Montpelier, and Berlin.

Certainly, the Friday Night Football theme will produce a bit of an adrenalin rush for the Spaulding program, but the real key I believe is to start growing the skill players before they enter the high school programs. One way or another, let’s support these teams this year as both they and their coaching staffs begin the hard work of preparing for what we hope is a winning season.

Rick Theken

Barre Town