WS Chronicle

By Tevin Stinson

The Chronicle

While the college and professional football teams get most of the attention as they prepare to begin their season, a number of youth football organizations have already begun their 2015 seasons, including the Tiny Indians of the American Youth Football League and the W-S Vikings of the Pop Warner organization.

These organizations offer football and cheerleading to children ages 6-14. The different teams and divisions are separated by age and weight. Both organizations also offer an unlimited division in which weight is not a factor.

Tiny Indians

(AFYL)

The Winston-Salem Tiny Indians had their first official game of the season on Saturday, Aug. 29 when they traveled to Clemmons to take on the Forsyth County Broncos.

The Indians got things started off with a win in the Tiny Mite division when they defeated the Broncos 12-0.

Coach Leonard Green said he was proud of the way the team played in the opening game of the season.

The Broncos were able to regain the edge over the Indians in the next two match-ups, picking up victories in the Cadet and Jr. Pee Wee divisions.

The Cadet match-up was a defensive battle that didn’t see a touchdown from either team until late into the second half. The difference maker came down to turnovers.

Although both teams had a number of turnovers, only Broncos were able to turn those turnovers into points. The Broncos were able to score two touchdowns off turnovers, enough to come out victorious, 13-0.

The long day continued for the Indians when the Jr. Pee Wee division fell, 14-6.

This week, the Indians will have their first home game of the season when they face off against the Greensboro Ravens.

The Indians and Broncos are members of the Piedmont Youth Football & Cheer League, which is part of the American Youth Football League. There are a number of other AYFL organizations in Forsyth County. For a list of those teams, visit www.pyfcl.com.

Tiny Vikings

(Pop Warner)

To prepare for the upcoming season, the Winston-Salem Tiny Vikings held a scrimmage jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Pop Warner teams from all over the state attended the tournament, held at Mineral Springs Middle School. During the tournament, each team was allowed to be on offense for 15 minutes before giving the ball to the other team.

The format used during the tournament is very similar to the format used during scrimmages at the high school and college levels. The jamboree was designed not only to prepare players for the season but for the next level as well.

For years, the Tiny Viking organization has helped student-athletes transition into the next level. The Vikings are the longest running Pop Warner organization in the county.

During the jamboree, the Viking Sr. Midgets took on a tough competitor from Greensboro.

Last season, the Vikings held the title for the Northwest Midget Pop Warner Football League.

Head coach Chris Key told his players that other teams are going to be ready to play them because they are the champions.

“I told my players that they have to come into every game ready; nothing is going to be handed to us.” Key said.

Last season, the Vikings competed for the Pop Warner National title in Orlando, Florida, before falling short of their goals of a national title.

Last Saturday, the Vikings traveled to Raleigh for the first official game of the season.

The Tiny Vikings is one of only two members of the Pop Warner organization in the area. The Winston-Salem Tar Heels are in their first season as members of the organization.