Young Knights

In the Young Knights Program, we group players into two divisions: 3rd/4th grade and 5th/6th grade. For many participants, this will be their first introduction to tackle football. Our league is entirely in-house, with four teams per division, formed to compete against each other throughout the season. This structure creates a supportive, well-organized environment that encourages skill development and ensures a smooth, natural progression through our football program.

League Goals:

Teach tackle football the right way in a safe and structured environment
Competitive play while encouraging teamwork and good sportsmanship
Have fun and instill a love for the game of football

The Lexington Catholic Young Knights Program is open to any child in a public, parochial or private school in third through sixth grade. Second graders eligible to play up as 3rd graders if approved by league.
All Teams will practice together at the same locations and same times. Practices will be held twice per week:

5th/6th Grade: Mondays and Wednesdays

3rd/4th Grade: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 6:30–8:00 PM

Location: Lexington Catholic or Seton Catholic School

Format:

30 min warm up and group drills

30 min team period

30 min scrimmaging or team tackling
2025 ROSTERS

The number of teams per season will be determined by the total number of registered players, ensuring an adequate number of players per team and an appropriate balance.

Thus, the number of teams may vary from year to year

Team formation will be constructed to ensure a competitive balance between the teams

If same number of teams as prior season, returning players will be placed back on their same team. If different numbers of teams, returning players will be distributed to new teams

Placement of QBs first to ensure every team has at least two capable QBs

Placement of players by grade level to ensure no overloading of any particular grade for any given team

Each team will operate out of the same playbook based on the high school playbook

Coaches will be allowed to add additional plays, but keep the same terminology
We will have a six-game season starting on 8/17 followed by Playoffs: 2025 GAME SCHEDULE

- All games on Sundays: 3rd/4th 2:00 and 3:15 (arrive 1 hour early to warm up)

- No games Labor Day weekend (8/31) or bookend weekends of Fall Break (9/28 and 10/5).

- Playoffs semi-finals on 10/19

- Championship games on 10/26

The playing field will be a total of 100 yards with 80 yards being the playing field and the remaining being the end zones. Width 40-45 yds.

Four 10-minute running quarters, with the exception of:

Final 2 minutes in the 4th quarter the clock will stop on dead balls

Timeouts: 1 per team in first half, 2 per team in 2nd half

Kickoff

Live Kick-off from midfield.

Touchbacks to be placed at the 20-yard line

If out of bounds, the ball to be placed at the 30-yard line

If offensive team declares “punt”, the ball will be moved 25 yards down the field, but not inside the 10-yard line.

Defense will not be allowed to line-up directly across from the center

Scoring:

Touchdown: 6 points

Extra points from 3-yard line:

Run: 1 point

Pass: 2 points

Overtime:

Each team gets up to 3 plays starting from the 10-yard line to score, followed by an extra point.

If the game is still tied after the Overtime period, then the game will end in a tie.

Standard high school tackle football rules to be called on field by referees

No challenges, officials’ rulings/calls are final

Head coach may ask official for clarification on rule/call

Assistant coaches cannot speak to the officials

First offense = warning

Second offense = off the sideline for the remainder of the game

Home team responsible for having 3 parent volunteers available to run sideline chains

In game participation:

Players 100 lbs or over are ineligible to run/receive the ball on offense.

For a live ball on offense, the play is dead where the ball is recovered.

For a live ball on defense, the ball remains live and the player is allowed to advance the ball.

Every kid must be given a minimum of 10 snaps (offense and/or defense) over the course of the game.
We will have a six-game season starting on 8/17 followed by Playoffs: 2025 GAME SCHEDULE

- All games on Sundays: 5th/6th 4:30 and 6:00 (arrive 1 hour early to warm up)

- No games Labor Day weekend (8/31) or bookend weekends of Fall Break (9/28 and 10/5).

- Playoffs semi-finals on 10/19

- Championship games on 10/26

The playing field will be the full 100 yards and standard high school width.

Four 10-minute running quarters, with the exception of:

Final 2 minutes in the 2nd and 4th quarters the clock will stop on dead balls

Timeouts: 1 per team in first half, 2 per team in 2nd half

Kickoff

Live Kick-off from midfield.

Touchbacks to be placed at the 20-yard line

If out of bounds, ball to be placed at the 30-yard line

Punt

Both teams will line up, there will be a snap and a punt but no rushing and no return.

If the punt does not cover a minimum of 25 yards and is not returned by the opposing team, it will be marked 25 yards from the line of scrimmage, but not inside the 10-yard line.

Defense is allowed to line-up directly across from the center

Scoring:

Touchdown: 6 points

Extra points from 3-yard line:

Run: 1 point

Pass: 2 points

Overtime:

Each team gets up to 3 plays starting from the 10-yard line to score, followed by an extra point.

If the game is still tied after the Overtime period, then the game will end in a tie.

Standard high school tackle football rules to be called on field by referees

No challenges, officials’ rulings/calls are final

Head coach may ask official for clarification on rule/call

Assistant coaches cannot speak to the officials

First offense = warning

Second offense = off the sideline for the remainder of the game

Home team responsible for having 3 parent volunteers available to run sideline chains

In game participation:

No weight limit for ball handling

Every kid must be given a minimum of 10 snaps (offense and/or defense) over the course of the game.

End of year Playoff (format to be determined be number of teams)

4 Teams:

Semi-Finals: 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3

Championship game the week to follow

3 Teams:

Semi-Finals: 2 vs 3

Championship: 1 seed vs winner of semi-finals
Our coaches are all volunteers with varying levels of football experience. If you’re interested in getting involved, we’d love to hear from you—let us know if you’d like to help coach!

Coach’s Expectations:

Complete any prerequisite forms/screening as required by Lexington Catholic.

Promote a safe and fun environment for all players while fostering good sportsmanship. Teach safe tackling/contact techniques

Adhere to the league playbook and terminology

Come prepared for each practice with a plan for drills, instruction, etc.

Communicate as needed with team parents regarding practices, games, updates, etc.

Inappropriate language or actions directed towards players, coaches, officials, or parents will not be tolerated and will result in a suspension from coaching activities.

Any drug or alcohol use during or preceding football activities will result in immediate expulsion from the league
No! We want all children to have the opportunity to try tackle football. The first several practices we will evaluate players’ skills and do our best to form equal teams.
Integrated padded pants (white for game day, any color for practice)

Mouth guard

Cleats

Extra equipment allowed, but not mandatory: padded under shirt, padded arm sleeves, visors, gloves, etc.

Peewee-size football (size 6) - 3/4th or Junior size football (size 7) - 5/6th
Practice jersey

Game jersey

Shoulder Pads

Helmet
There is a risk of injury in every sport. Our goal is to teach the players at a young age how to tackle properly to mitigate risk.
League fees ($215) must be paid at the time of online registration. Need-based scholarships are available for qualifying families.
We will use the connect.app for team communication. Coaches will provide team codes.

Download here:

Apple App Store

Google Play
Yes. We understand families are busy and that many kids participate in multiple activities. Our football program is designed with flexibility in mind, and we encourage multi-sport athletes. We believe playing different sports helps kids grow as well-rounded athletes and teammates. If there are any scheduling conflicts, just let us know—we’ll do our best to work with you.

For more information, contact:

Third / Fourth Grade - Coach Dr. Brandon Devers: brandon.n.devers@gmail.com

Fifth / Sixth Grade - Coach Matt Haney: mdhane1@yahoo.com