Maricopa Youth Football League kicks off season with games, raffle

The Maricopa Youth Football League will begin its fall season on Aug. 21 with a daylong schedule of games at Pacana Park.

“We have 12 teams this year in Maricopa and also have three cheer squads,” said league president Joel Griffin, adding that a total of 300 players and 50 cheerleaders are participating this season.

As part of the opening-day festivities on Aug. 21, the league will conduct an 11 a.m. drawing to determine the winners of its 50-50 raffle.

The grand prize allotment of up to $10,000 will be split between three winners at a ratio of 60-30-10. The amount of the grand prize will be determined by the total number of tickets sold.

Raffle tickets, which cost $10 each, can be purchased prior to the day of the drawing by contacting Griffin at 602-400-7349 or Dan Westerfield at 520-371-3970. Those interested also can send e-mail to Griffin at [email protected] or to Westerfield at [email protected].

Raffle tickets also will be sold from 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 21 at Pacana Park.

Griffin said the raffle is the Maricopa Youth Football League’s only fundraiser this year. The organization is hoping to collect $20,000 through the sale of the raffle tickets. Half of the ticket proceeds (up to $10,000) will be awarded as prizes for the 50-50 raffle, and half will help the league pay for operating expenses.

Griffin said the money raised will be used to purchase game uniforms. Additionally, the league hopes to buy a set of tower lights to illuminate practice fields at night.

The league also provides financial aid to help parents pay for their children’s entry fees. Griffin said the organization sponsored a record number of players this season.

“Different families have different situations, and we want to make sure kids aren’t held back from playing football,” Griffin said. “We want to make sure kids just enjoy the game of football. We have families with several siblings in the league. They know we try to provide the best for these kids.”

The Maricopa Youth Football League, which is part of the Pinal County Youth Football Federation, has four age classifications for players – the Mighty Mite Division for ages 7 and 8, the Junior Pee Wee Division for ages 9-10,  the Pee Wee Division for ages 11-12 and the Junior Division for ages 13-14.

The league’s fall season is scheduled to run from Aug. 21 to Nov. 6.

Griffin, who lives in Maricopa, has been the league president for five years. “My son DeSean Griffin (who now plays football for Mountain Pointe High School) started playing out here when we moved here from Texas,” Joel Griffin said. “I’m still enjoying it. I love coaching kids and giving them an outlet.”

Griffin said the Maricopa Youth Football League is always looking for additional assistant coaches. “Donations are needed also,” he said.

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