Clark Youth Football Ends 2020 Season
Submitted by Gus Kalikas
Clark Youth Football recently completed their second season since returning to the communities of Clark & Garwood and it was a huge success. This Fall 2020 season Clark Youth Football (CYF) had three levels competing in the NJSYFL. A Level (8th Grade), B Level (7th Grade) and C Level (6th Grade) all competed and had wonderful seasons.
Clark Youth Football is a member of the NJSYFL. The NJ Suburban Youth Football League (NJSYFL) was founded on December 8, 1972, in Scotch Plains, NJ. The league was formed in an effort to provide additional opportunities for boys to participate in contact football that may have been excluded from other programs due to weight and age restrictions in existing programs.
Since its inception, the program has grown and matured significantly and now affords more than 4,500 boys and girls an opportunity to participate in youth football and cheerleading programs.
In only our second year back in the communities of Clark and Garwood, all three levels made the NJSYFL playoffs. Our C Level team (6th Grade) defeated Bloomfield in a first round playoff game before losing to a very tough Summit squad in the semifinals. Our A Level team (8th Grade) overcame many obstacles this year and made the playoffs where they matched up against defending champion Bloomfield. Although they lost a very tough game, A Level battled to the end and has a bright future ahead of them as they enter high school next year.
Our B Level team entered the playoffs at 6-0 and in first place in their division. After handling Perth Amboy in the NJSYFL Semifinals they found themselves in a rematch of a tough regular season game against rival West Orange. In the regular season, Clark B Level had to score a last minute touchdown late in the game to win. No such drama would be needed in the Championship game as B Level raced out to a 26-0 lead before winning by a final score of 26-12.
All three levels dedicated themselves to Clark Youth Football for the last three months giving up their evenings three to four times each week in order to do the communities of Clark and Garwood proud. Above all the wins and losses was the camaraderie formed amongst teammates and the values of hard work and sportsmanship that were taught throughout the season.
Clark Youth Football is gearing up for an awesome third year in the Fall 2021. We will be opening up registration Super Bowl Sunday (February 07, 2021). Make sure to sign up and reserve your spot so you can be a part of our next CYF season!!!
Photo courtesy of “Al Brown @ JAB Photography”.
