Chatham middle school football meeting set

Posted

SILER CITY — The work behind the scenes to provide some form of middle school aged football for the youth of Chatham County is ramping back up after the holiday break.

An organizational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Best Food Cafeteria in Siler City.

Specifics to be discussed include the attempt to field four teams from around Chatham County in the fall of 2020, forming a Chatham County Prep Football League.

“It’s vital that we get something going for our student-athletes at the middle school age,” said Jordan-Matthews coach Sam Spencer. “Those two or three years off from playing football, especially for the linemen type kids, puts them and our programs at a big disadvantage when they arrive at the high school level.”

Chatham Central coach Sherman Howze echoed Spencer’s sentiments.

“Our kids are way behind when they come into the high school and we really need to address the situation somehow,” Howze said. “Any type of league for these kids in the area we are in full support of. Whatever we can do to help in any way I know all the coaches in Chatham County will do it.”

Currently proposed is having four teams for each of the four high schools that field (will field football) in Chatham Central, Jordan-Matthews, Northwood, and also Seaforth High School, which is set to open in fall 2021. This would allow for a six-game schedule playing at home and away, following the model set for the Chatham Prep Football League which had a strong eight-year run before faltering seven years ago. After the season an All-Star game would take place pitting the No. 1 and No. 4 seeds against the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds.

Anyone interested in helping, offering ideas, coaching, and/or heading up any of the four proposed teams is encouraged to attend the meeting. Northwood, Seaforth and Chatham Central in particular are needing representation at this crucial time.

“We want to make this happen for all of Chatham County, for all of the kids here,” said Sam Glover, who’s helping lead the charge in the Siler City area. “It’s not for one area of the county, it’s for all and I think we can make it happen. We just need representation from all four areas.”

For more information or to get involved, contact Don Beane at donbe51@yahoo.com.