PYF, Bulldogs prepare for 2009 season

Programs help to build strong relationships within the community

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

For many of the area’s youth, it’s time to throw on the shoulder pads and helmet, because football in Gig Harbor is right around the corner.

Peninsula Youth Football and the Gig Harbor Bulldogs — the two football programs in the area — have their first games this month. They are looking forward to another season filled with big hits and touchdowns.

Peninsula Youth Football

PYF, going on its 33rd season, added two teams to its league this year. It will feature 10 Tides teams and five Seahawks teams.

This will be the fourth year PYF has modeled its program around either the Gig Harbor or Peninsula high school football system. Each team uses similar vocabulary and schemes to familiarize the young athletes with how the high schools play.

Craig Wickstrom, program chairman, said it’s less of a culture shock when the players reach the high school programs.

“We use a lot of the same formations for offense and defense,” Wickstrom said. “It makes for a smoother transition to high school football.”

Many youth football programs use the feeder program as a way to mold young talent. Wickstrom said that’s key reasons why Skyline and Bellevue high schools are successful.

PYF has about 386 players — up about 15 percent compared with last year.

Opening ceremonies will be held Aug. 15, when former Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser will speak.

The first practice for PYF is Monday and will be no-contact. The first contact practices will start Aug. 13.

GH Bulldogs

The Gig Harbor Bulldogs will begin their fourth season this year, giving local talent a chance to compete against more select teams.

The Bulldogs have about 100 players — about the same as last year.

The program’s fifth-grade team finished last season as runners-up in their division. They lost in the championship game by one point.

“I have confidence all five teams will be vying for championships,” Gig Harbor Bulldogs chairman Mike Cosper said.

The Bulldogs already have been practicing for their first game on Aug. 29, when they will play the UTYA Tigers in the Greater Puget Sound Football League.

The league features feeder programs from Lakes, Bellarmine, Curtis and some Tacoma Boys & Girls Clubs teams.

The Bulldogs, structure the program by grade level, not age. They currently have no space for seventh- or eighth-grade teams but are looking to fill spots on their third- , fourth- and fifth-grade squads.

Rick Jones, Bulldogs vice president, said the program prepares youths for high school football, just like PYF does.

“Our main thing is to develop the fundamentals and the skills so they can use them for whatever high school they go to,” Jones said. “We want to build a strong foundation of fundamentals and work ethic. So far, it’s been very successful.”

PYF and GH Bulldogs

For more information on Peninsula Youth Football or the Gig Harbor Bulldogs, visit www.peninsulayouthfootball.com or www.ghbulldogs.org.