The Clarkston Chief’s have broken away from the Suburban Youth Football League to form the North Youth Football League with some neighboring communities.
‘The NYFL will provide a more level playing field. All the teams will be playing under the same rules,? said Larry Malace, president of the Clarkston Chiefs and coach of the varsity team.
Some of the teams which now comprise the NYFL felt that organizations in the SYFL were recruiting their players ? instead of filling their teams with the first-come first-serve doctrine of the league.
The NYFL will consist of at least seven franchises from the communities of Clarkston, Brandon, Lake Orion, Lapeer, Waterford, Pontiac and Auburn Hills. Each franchise will provide open enrollment for children at three different age levels, freshman (8-9 years), junior varsity (10-11) and varsity (12-13).
Each squad will field a football team of at least 25 players and a cheer squad with team size to be determined by enrollment. Some franchises are looking to add up to two teams at each level based on enrollment, as well as have a dance team.
While last year the Chief’s were unable to field a varsity team, Malace is optimistic that Clarkston will be able to field both a blue and white team this year, in each level of competition.
The Chiefs have reached an agreement with Clarkston High School to play games at the football stadium on Sundays. As well as sharing a field with the Clarkston Wolves, the Chiefs will continue to use the same playbooks and drills as the high school’s program.
‘We’ve developed an even better relationship with the high school,? said Malace. ‘We are using the same plays and terminology and that helps the kids when they get to the next level.?
This year, the cheerleading teams will participate in a competitive cheer competition entitled ‘MEGA CHEER,? held at Waterford Kettering High School at the conclusion of the season.
Enrollment for the Clarkston Chiefs will begin on May 3 in the Clarkston High School cafeteria at 5 p.m. for returning players and 6 p.m. for children new to the program.
For more information on the Clarkston Chiefs, go online at www.eteamz.com/clarkstonchiefsfootball.