Tribune photo by John Byrne - SYFL Spanish Springs assistant coach Greg Hauder (top photo) holds the hitting bag as Jake Sharp, a member of the Cougars’
varsity division team, works on his blocking skills.
From its inception in 2000, the SYFL has grown into a legitimate feeder system for area high schools.
Four years ago, about 920 kids from the Sparks/Reno area participated in the growing league. That number has nearly doubled with almost 1,600 children representing all the local high schools except Bishop Manogue. That doesn’t count the other approximately 1,600 kids from outlying areas, which include Fernley, Fallon, Dayton, Hawthorne, Yerington, Susanville and Quincy for a total of 93 teams.
“We are extremely happy. We keep growing and growing every year. High school coaches are happy as well,” SYFL Commissioner Reggie Gipson said.
Because of the partnership with the SYFL and the high schools, SYFL teams don the same uniforms as the high schools and are allowed to use the high school fields for games on the weekends. The teams are split up geographically based on high school zones, so kids will play with the same teammates from the youth football ranks until they reach their respective high schools.
Since the SYFL plays on high school fields instead of at parks, fans actually get to watch from the stands, which is another bonus.
Each team plays eight games apiece, but the playoffs span two games plus the championship game. There’s also an all-star game in December.
The local and outlying teams go head-to-head during the regular season, starting rivalries early on in gridiron careers. League officials also purposely schedule games that mimic high school rivalries like Reed and Spanish Springs or Reed versus McQueen.
Developing school spirit from the age of 6 is another perk of the SYFL that sets it apart from Pop Warner.
“If you have an older brother who goes to Reed High School, you get to wear the same logo and play in the same type of atmosphere as your older brother,” Gipson said. “We’re a high school feeder program, so we pretty much follow the high schools.”
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