WYTHE COUNTY, Va. – Youth football teams and cheerleading squads from Wythe and Bland counties are just a handful of days from kicking off the 2015 regular season.

 According to Wythe County Parks & Recreation officials, roughly 600 boys and girls (ages 8-12) have signed up to participate in youth football and cheerleading this season, forming two leagues with fifteen combined teams.

 The season will begin on Saturday, August 15 at Rural Retreat Elementary School with the 2015 Football Jamboree.  In this event, teams will complete ten offensive and ten defensive plays of a controlled scrimmage, followed by the playing of two six-minute periods under game conditions.

 “The football jamboree is a great way to ease the young players into real-life gameplay before the opening day of the regular season,” said Wythe County’s youth sports coordinator Scotty Vaught.

 The regular season will begin the following Saturday at Fort Chiswell High School and continue throughout the fall.

 Following the regular season, teams will compete in a two-week playoff that will culminate in Super Bowl XX, scheduled for Saturday, October 24 at George Wythe High School.

 “Over the few seasons, participation in football and cheerleading has remained steady and we’re pleased to be partnering with the Town of Wytheville’s Parks & Recreation Department, as well as our neighbors in Bland County,” said Vaught, adding, “Youth football and cheerleading will create lifelong memories for the student-athletes and we’re pleased with the caliber of coaches and volunteers making this season possible.”

 Prior to the season, Wythe County required all coaches and volunteers to undergo concussion training, as well as attend a mandatory meeting that covered the rules, guidelines and standards of conduct for youth athletics.

 A copy of the 2015 Youth Football / Cheerleading regular season schedule may be downloaded by Clicking Here.

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