Kids learning and loving flag football

Youth sports are an investment. They are an opportunity for kids to be active, while at the same time learning valuable skills in the sport they are playing, and in life.

For years in Havre, there was no form of football for youths to participate in until they reached the middle school level. Fortunately, that has changed and one of the programs that provides young athletes an opportunity to play the sport is the Havre Flag Football program.

The program is run by the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line and is coordinated by Havre native Scott Miller, who played football, basketball and tennis at a varsity level for Havre High School.

“It’s a really great program,” Miller said. “I wish we had something like this when we were kids. I use it mostly to help teach them fundamentals like where to line up, how to catch the ball, how to throw the ball things like that but they love it. They are also asking me when are we going to play flag football again.”

Kids ranging from 6 years old to 11 are allowed to participate in flag football and it’s open to both boys and girls. There are eight teams, which are divided up into two divisions based on age. One division is for ages 6 through 8, while the other is for ages 9 through 11.

Games are played Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Havre High soccer fields. Each team plays four games and the season goes on for five weeks.

Every team is made up of five players, so when the teams line up in the game there is a quarterback, a center, two wide receivers and a running back. The quarterback is given five seconds to throw before he can be pursued by defenders.

The rest of the game is similar to regular football just in a smaller version. The games are played on a 50-yard field and teams are given four downs to make a first down. Teams are giving seven points for a touchdown unless they decide that they want to attempt a two-point conversion. Each game played is 40 minutes, consisting of two, twenty minute halves.

Cash Keller, 7, from Havre is the only player who plays in both leagues. Keller is one of the top performers in flag football and said that someday he wants to play football for the Blue Ponies.

“I like playing, running with the ball and throwing the ball,” Keller said. “My favorite thing about playing is scoring touchdowns.”

Kylie Walker, 11, of Havre plays flag football in the 9- 11 age group in addition to playing basketball and softball. She will be a sixth-grader this coming school year.

“I have fun playing,” Walker said. “I like throwing the ball and running with it. I like catching the ball. It’s just fun to play and it helps me for other sports.”

Youth football helps kids such as Keller and Walker learn to play organized sports and will help them in their future athletic careers. No championships are won in youth sports but they are an important investment that can pay off in many ways down the road.

“I just think it’s good for the kids to get out and get a chance to play a little football,” Miller said. “I think it teaches them a lot about the game and then when they are ready to play in middle school or wherever, they are a lot more prepared.”