Football payers everywhere at AYF National Championship
The American Youth Football (AYF) is holding it's 2013 National Championship this week in the Orlando Florida area. So with my nephew Jonathan Wrenn playing for a Division II Jr. Midget league Stafford Falcons team, I decided to make the trip to assist my sister in the driving and also to watch him play football.
This past Saturday was check-in for the teams and let me tell you, I have covered and been part of some events, but I was overwhelmed by this high volume event. Teams were gathering everywhere in the Omni at Championsgate parking lot, arriving in personal cars, rented passenger vans and even chartered buses. Eighteen divisions, six to eight teams in each division with 15 to 25 players on each team, now you do the math, that's a lot of kids in one place. Teams from places such as Texas, Detroit, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire and more made the trip for the Championship.
Each team went through check in by team and each kid had to be ID-ed by a photo and weighed in and then the team photographed. Souvenirs were set up for sale as was event tickets and of course Universal Studio's AYF party night pass for just AYF players and family.Equipment was on display as well as trophies and Championship rings.
Games started Sunday with four start times each day 10,12,2 and 4, but it wasn't until Monday that the Jr. Midget Stafford Falcons took to the field. I was even more surprised when we arrived at the field in what I saw. A smooth entering and parking with lots a staff everywhere and I then noticed nine football fields laid out. It was the first time I had seen portable football goal post on wheels that were set up as solid as a permanent one are.
The Stafford Jr. Midget team was photo ID-ed again, cleats inspected by staff and were set to play the Panama Florida team. With a scoreless first quarter, I thought I was in for a tight game. It must have been first game jitters because then the team started to mesh after the first touchdown by QB A.J. Felton. The final score was Falcons 27 - Panama 0 and the Falcons will move on to face the Howell team Wednesday.
And of course I had to work my camera while there.
A.J. Felton going in for the first TD of the day
#84 Trae Amos and #23 Jonathan Wrenn sack Panama's QB