Football camp prepares youth for autumn play

The Southern Utah Youth Football Association offered a camp July 21 through last Thursday for players from fourth to eighth grade.

There was a nice turnout, with 27 players in attendance to work on their offense, defense, and special teams. The first two days were geared toward individual positions, while the third day was full of mini-competitions between the attendees.

Jay Ziegler, Southern Utah Youth Football Association president, said he was pleased with the overall effort and improvement shown by the players over the three-day camp.

“I feel like the group as a whole really improved,” Ziegler said. “From seeing these players return from last year, their confidence levels have really grown. In our league, it’s all about experience, getting players a chance to learn the game. Competition is good, but our main focus is to provide them with an understanding of football.”

The coaches consistently conveyed the message that responsibilities of being a football player include being a good person and excelling in school, as well as being a good teammate and building relationships with others.

“Football is a team sport, you can’t do it alone. It’s all about being a good teammate,” Ziegler added. “Success, to me, comes from teamwork. When you work as a team to achieve great results, that’s real success.”

SUYFA’s focus is on making football affordable. Comparable football programs include the Salt Lake Valley’s Ute Football Conference. It includes 30 Wasatch Front teams, including feeder programs to many of the state’s larger high schools. However, it comes with a $225 per player fee.

The Pop Warner program in Las Vegas also has a higher price tag, rolling in at $180 per player.

SUYFA works as a non-profit organization, charging only $100 per player, which includes a jersey with the player’s last name.

“Kids and parents can’t always afford 200-plus dollars to play a season of football. Soccer costs $60 a kid, and we have twice the pads. We charge just enough to cover the cost of buying and reconditioning equipment and finding officials for the games,” Ziegler said.

For the upcoming season, SUYFA will field teams from Cedar, Canyon View, Parowan, Kanab, Enterprise, and Pananca. The younger players (fourth through sixth grade) play all their games in Cedar City, encouraging playing time and experience. Grades seven and eight travel to play each other, giving the teams an opportunity to get a feel for the rigors of travel at the high school level.

SUYFA partners with Cedar City Parks and Recreation, which provides fields free of charge to the league.

Taylor Ruud, a former linebacker at Southern Utah University and player in SUYFA, is now an assistant coach for Cedar High. He said playing under Ziegler helped him get his start.

“I look back and it was a good experience for me. I loved it because you got to talk to your buddies about the game the week before and the game that was coming up. It was my first time playing and it really helped give me an edge.”

When talking to some of the players after day two of the camp, they were very excited about the development of the league and the experience they are gaining.

“We are really learning a lot,” said Dusty Hone, who will be an eighth grader in the fall. “I’m really glad they are doing this so we can get out and play some football.”

Southern Utah Youth Football gets underway Aug. 7 with a chance to meet the coaches from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Main Street Park. Sign-ups are Aug. 20-21 at Canyon View and Cedar middle schools from 6 to 8 p.m. For further information, visit www.suyfa.com.