Ravens running back Alec Faiman turns up-field before gaining a first down on the opening night of Midget football Thursday. (Photo Jake Nordbye/IDS)
Familiar faces roamed the Star of the West Complex for the start of the Midget Football season on Thursday night.
The last time we saw some of them they were playing in front of ESPN cameras at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.. Thursday night marked the beginning of a new sport, but they looked like the same dominating young athletes…along with plenty of other talented players who spent August enjoying the lake. And none of it would have been possible if it weren’t for a group of individuals who started Midget Football in Rapid City 30 years ago.
“Tonight was the start of our 30th season,” said Midget Football President Jeff Horan. “That being the case, we will be honoring the founders of the league this season. These gentlemen were very forward thinking and the many of the rules they set out are still in effect today.”
420 players from the fourth to the seventh grade will participate in Midget Football this season and when it all started Thursday night it certainly felt like football weather. By the time the 7:30 p.m. games began it was 45 degrees and the boys who spent August in the scorching midwest heat were bundled up with gloves and long sleeves. However, it didn’t cool down their play a bit.
On Field 5, Central head football coach Trent Pikula spent the evening before the Cobblers square off against Sioux Falls Lincoln guiding the 7th grade Patriots in their first scrimmage game of the year. His son, Madden, who was also a Harney All-Star, spent his night dispensing defenders at running back.
Patriots running back Madden Pikula makes a few defenders miss Thursday night. (Photo Jake Nordbye/IDS)
Pikula wasn’t the only Central head coach volunteering his time at the youth level. The Cobblers head basketball coach Mike Purcell was also there as the fifth graders put on the pads for the first time.
It’s a new season, but Hayden McGriff (Harney’s shortstop) was still sporting yellow cleats as he took the snaps as the QB for the Patriots. Assistant Patriots coach, Kasey McGriff, formerly the head coach of the Harney All-Stars, called in the plays. Hayden’s teammates, Timmy Paris, Riley McSherry and Zach Solano looked a little bigger in football pads than they did in baseball jerseys sporting the name, Midwest. And instead of pacing the sideline, as Tim Paris Sr. did more than a few times around the outfield fence in Indianapolis, he coached on the field and looked more relaxed since it was only a scrimmage.
(Photos Jake Nordbye/IDS)
On Field 1, Colts tailback Cameron Fees took his first carry of the year to pay dirt. Erik Petry, suddenly turned from a mild mannered homerun hitter to a ferocious defensive lineman; recording two sacks in the first half. Teammates, Kyle Maguire and Seth Brewer helped the Colts jump out to a three score lead.
There were plenty of other solid performances. Preston Arity broke a 52-yard TD run on the Colts second play of the game. Kobe Bradford was clogging up the holes and stacking up the running game. The Ravens Alec Faiman was running hard and downhill against the Patriots.
It was hard-nosed football on a cold night, and according to Horan, much of it is possible because of the commitments made 30 years ago by the fathers of Midget Football.
On Oct. 22, Midget Football will honor the founders of the league at the Star of the West Complex. The list includes the names of men that had a substantial impact in Rapid City sports: Vern Green, Bob Steele, Eldon McNabb, Jimmy Quinn, Rollie Larson, Kermit Torve, and Gary Boner.
“Their efforts and the efforts of subsequent volunteers have provided the opportunity for over 10,000 young men to play Midget Football,” said Horan. “We are extremely excited about this season. It will conclude with annual Super Bowl on October 22 and so we thought that it would be appropriate to honor the founders on that night.”
Congrats to all for thirty years. The program was started for one reason to help the upper levels be more competitive against east river. That hasn’t happened.
Thanks for the coverage. It might be a good idea to obtain a roster before your next article to make sure you have the names right….just for the sake of accuracy. Otherwise great job IDS!
hayden wheres those yellow cleats for golden spikes too
I think it’s awesome the league has been up and running for 30 years. When that black hills youth leauge has only been around for like 2 years and it costs like 3 times as much as this league.
The BHYFL does not cost 3 times as much as midget. not even twice as much. Qualified scholarshipped participants pay even less to participate in the BHYFL than the cost of the Midget league. What is three times as much and more is what a player gets out of the BHYFL vs. Midget. Don’t fall victim to exaggerations and lies. Search out the facts.
The BHYFL is going into it’s 4th amazing season and is the fastest growing youth sports organization in the country. Must be doing something right I’d say.