JYFA Important Update  
 
We are pleased to announce that the JYFA Board of Directors has made the decision to partner with Lake and North Canton and form our own youth tackle football league for the upcoming season and foreseeable future.  The formation of the NSYFL (Northern Stark Youth Football League) will allow us to continue to enjoy the dynamics of a multi-community league with youth organizations that are aligned with our fundamental purpose to create a meaningful and enjoyable experience for our children.   We believe the transition to the NSYFL will improve player safety, increase playing time and allow our coaches to place greater emphasis on player development.  While change is never easy, the JYFA board will continue to take steps necessary to improve the overall experience for your children.  The following will be the leagues format for 2018.
 
2018 Tackle B League (4^th and 5^th graders)
 
As many of you know, we decided to move our Tackle B program in-house last year.  Our goal was to make this age group more of a developmental league with smaller teams and provide and even playing field.  While we accomplished most of our objectives, being in-house caused division within the program and did not allow the coaches to collaborate together.   By joining Lake and North Canton we feel we can still focus on development, yet provide an avenue for competition outside our community.  Although we will at times play each other, our ultimate goal will be to work together to have success against the other communities.
 
Under this format, our Tackle B league will likely have 4-5 teams with 17-20 players per team.  With Lake and North Canton we are planning on having a total of 12 teams with 2 divisions.  The season will consist of the following:
 
Regular Season: 6 weeks, with each team playing one game per week.
Playoffs: 2 weeks of playoffs, culminating with a league Championship

 
2018 Tackle A League (6^th and 7^th graders)
 
In the NSYFL with Lake and North Canton we will continue the JV and Varsity format.   We feel that this provides our Tackle A league players a more seamless transition to the next level (8^th grade football).  With the Junior Varsity and Varsity format, whereas less developed players play in the JV games and more developed players play at the Varsity level.  With this, the majority of 6^th graders play against other community 6^th graders at the JV level and the majority of 7^th graders play against other community 7^th graders at the Varsity level.  (Note:  There are always exceptions, but this is the norm).   
 
Under this format, our Tackle A league will likely have 2 teams with 30-35 players per team.  With Lake and North Canton we are planning on having a total of 6 teams.  The season will consist of the following:
 
Regular Season: 6 weeks, with each team playing a JV and Varsity game.
Playoffs: 2 weeks of playoffs, culminating with a league Championship (JV and Varsity)
 
 
 
Flag A (2^nd and 3^rd Graders) / Flag B (K and 1^st Graders)
 
Both Flag A and B will remain in-house.  Flab B will be the same as last year, an instructional fun league.  This year we are going to keep score and standings in Flag A.  This change was brought up several times in the year end surveys we sent out.  We will have an evaluation period and coaches will draft their teams.  We are really excited to have the High School Varsity Players officiate the games.  The season will consist of the following;
 
Regular Season: 5 weeks
Playoffs:  2 weeks of playoffs, culminating with a league Championship
 

Glen Maurer, JYFA President