By JAIRO VALLEJO
The Progress
Fall is approaching and that means Mesquite Youth football is right around the corner.
Youth flag football is now open for registration for children ages 4-8 at the Mesquite Recreation Center. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursdays, and the season will begin Tuesday, September 27. The registration deadline is Friday, September 9. Fees for the season are $50for members and $55 for non-members.
“We are excited for another great season of flag football,” said Mesquite Rec Center Manager Zach Robison. “We’re excited for youth sports in general as the school year starts. Last year we saw quite an increase in participation levels and we hope to continue to see that as football and our other programs begin.”
The games will be held at the Recreation Center West Field location.
Mesquite Recreation Coordinator Nicole Burton is beginning her second year in the position. She said she has been anxiously anticipating the sports seasons.
“I have got to experience every sport and activity I’ll be in charge of and am ready to start off another year with flag football.” she said. “I am thrilled to be working closely with Travis Allen, the new PE teacher at Virgin Valley Elementary School, as we try to match his curriculum to the activities that the recreation center has planned for local youth.”
To register for these programs, go online at mesquitenv.gov/athletics or register in-person at the Mesquite Recreation Center.
The famous Gridiron Games will be presented by the City of Mesquite Athletics and Leisure Services Department will be held on Wednesday, October 12 at 5:30pm located at the Hunter Park Sports Park.
Girls and boys will compete in six separate age divisions including 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15.
Each division will compete in punting, passing, place kicking, and running in a fun and an engaging forum. There must be a legal guardian present to sign a waiver form.
“This is our fifth year of our Gridiron Iron Games,” said Burton. “Once the NFL stopped doing the Punt, Pass and Kick Event, we decided to make it our own event, modify it a little and add a 40 yard dash to it.”
This year the Gridiron Games adds the younger 4-5 age group as well, opening up the event to even more kids.
“This event has been very popular with our community,” Burton said. “Thanks to all the youth football coaches, schools and volunteers for helping promote it. The Gridiron Games 2022 is gonna be the best one yet.”
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
