The East Black Raider Youth Program begins teaching third and fourth graders the basics of football, using padded flag-style play as a way to ease them into the world of tackle football they will start in fifth grade. Our youth programs are open to any boy or girl in an East High feeder school and we look forward to working with you.
Our coaches teach the fundamentals of ball handling, positions and responsibilities of that position, running, throwing, sportsmanship, and working together as a team. This helps our youngest players ease into a sport that can be both fun and scary at times. No hitting, no tackling, but they wear the pads as a way to get them used to how it feels to run, get into a stance, move, and even walk – in the confinement of pads and helmet. It takes some getting used to!
In the fifth and sixth grade levels, our athletes will be worked harder, pushed to achieve more, and often they find they are capable of doing more than they thought they could. Our coaches teach them how to tackle – and be tackled – safely. Wearing the pads is more comfortable, and handling the football is more natural. They work together as a team, knowing each other’s strengths, and off the field the teamwork carries into the classroom. These are our future middle school and high school athletes, and our goal is to instill the same core values throughout their Black Raider athletic development.
East Black Raider Core Values
Vision: The East High School football program will be recognized state wide as a team that plays with great purpose, effort, and sportsmanship.
Purpose: The relentless pursuit of excellence in high school football.
Mission:
- Build confidence, self-esteem, and a feeling of contribution within each person.
- Encourage open and honest communication from all team members.
- Respect the dignity and diversity of each person on the team.
- Commit to team unity through strong leadership principles and trust in each other.