by Matt Wright
It will be fall before you know it and the Lakeland Lions Youth football program is already preparing. The boys are half way thru summer conditioning preparing for the 2019 season. Since June 5th, players and coaches have gathered every Monday and Wednesday evening at Windward Slopes park to work out for 90 minutes. This includes footwork drills, speed drills, running and some basic football skills like the proper way to catch a football. Lakeland youth football will have two teams this year. A team for 7 and 8 year olds and a team for 9 and 10-year-olds.
Last year was a successful year for the Lions program. The younger team played for the municipal championship, while the 10-year-old team defeated Collierville in the MFL (Municipal Football League) championship game. Teams from Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville and Tipton County compete in the League.
Bryan Buckalew, head coach of the 9/10 year old Lakeland team, is helping lead drills along with assistant coaches. Coach Buckalew said a good group of about 25 players show up consistently for the works outs. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but I think we will be ok. I feel pretty good about it.”
Signups for football are going on now. If you have any questions about the football program or conditioning please contact Wendi Haley, recreation program supervisor, at 867-5407, or whaley@lakelandtn.org.
