Flag football leagues set to kick off

People aren’t always satisfied with experiencing football as a mere spectator.

Sometimes they need to be a part of the action.

And that’s exactly what flag football leagues offer.

The following is a brief analysis of some local leagues open to the public this fall.

Thibodaux Recreation Department League

Age range: 18 and older

Cost: $150 per team

Registration: Today through Aug. 31

Opening kickoff: Season begins Tuesday, Sept. 11

Contact information: (985) 446-7235

The skinny: Ron Alcorn knew he wanted to launch a flag football league shortly after taking over as Thibodaux recreation director in June.

&#8220Flag football is a good sport that a lot of people like,” he said. &#8220It’s football season, and a lot of people are getting into football mode.

Games will be played at Majors Baseball Field in Peltier Park.

This, in itself, sets the league apart.

&#8220We’ll be able to play night games under the lights,” Alcorn said. &#8220This is the only lighted league around.”

Alcorn has already collected registration packets from a few teams. He expects many more to come in throughout the next few weeks.

&#8220Hopefully we can get 10 to 12 teams this first season,” Alcorn said. &#8220If we can, I think this league will really take off.”

NFL Flag Football League (Houma)

Age Range: 5 through 13

Cost: $60 per player

Registration: Ends today (Wednesday, Aug. 15)

Opening kickoff: Mid September

Contact information: (985) 580-7740; www.allamericanathleticacademy.net.

The skinny: What’s in a name?

According to Ashton Cagnolatti, general manager of the All American Athletic Academy, a heck of a lot.

&#8220The title (of our league) is our attraction,” he said. &#8220Ours is sponsored by the NFL. Everything is legit.”

This reveals itself in the league T-shirts, which will resemble authentic jerseys from various NFL teams.

But it doesn’t end there.

The NFL also creates a master schedule and provides the footballs and flags.

And as an added bonus, an NFL player will pay a special visit to league participants sometime during their flag football season.

&#8220This is the first year of the league, Cagnolatti said. &#8220We just want kids to have a good time and learn the game. Kids at this age are like sponges that soak everything in. Sometimes you get coaches that scream at kids, and it discourages them and they don’t want to play the game anymore. This league is a great way for younger kids to learn football.”

Practices will start next week at the All American Athletic Academy’s facility, located on Equity Blvd. in Houma.

Bayouland YMCA Adult League (Houma)

Age Range: 18 and up

Cost: $500 per team; $50 per player

Registration: Today through Aug. 31

Opening kickoff: Sunday, Sept. 16

Contact information: (985) 873-9622

The skinny: The popularity of the Bayouland adult league continues to grow exponentially.

&#8220We started with 13 teams our first year, then jumped up to 18, and then 21 last year,” said Pat Patterson, acting program director at the Y. &#8220Hopefully, we’ll make it to 25 teams this year.”

The league draws a wide variety of players. Some are fresh out of the classroom, while others are just a few years away from receiving AARP benefits.

&#8220We have kids who just finished high school, and a few players who were in their 50s,” Patterson said. &#8220The majority of them are either ex-football players or ex-athletes of some kind of high school sport.”

The league is comprised of two divisions – the American (advanced) and National (novice).

&#8220The guys who play in this league know how to play the game as fairly as possible,” Patterson said.

A team captain meeting will be held Friday, Sept. 7.

Bayouland YMCA Youth League (Houma)

Age Range: 7 through 11

Cost: $30 for YMCA members; $70 for non-members

Registration: Today through Aug. 31

Opening kickoff: Wednesday, Sept. 12

Contact information: (985) 873-9622

The skinny: The Bayouland youth league enters its fourth consecutive season.

And so far, it’s been a great success.

&#8220It’s really been catching on because there are a lot of kids who like football, but don’t want to play tackle football,” Patterson said, acting program director at the Y. &#8220This league teaches them the fundamentals of throwing and catching the ball.”

The six-team league operates under NFL Flag Football rules.

Last year, the Dolphins and Chiefs shared a piece of the Bayouland title.

Registration is also being accepted for cheerleaders (ages 4 through 11).

A coaches meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m. A parents meeting will follow at 7 p.m.