Flag Football Season Ends With Super Bowl

By Nicky Romero

The 2010 Socorro Flag Football League ended the first season on Friday night, May 14 at Warrior Stadium. If measured by the enthusiasm, competitiveness, and fun that was shown by the kids, it was a huge success.
One hundred and ten boys and girls from ages 8 to 13 played in the league. The league helped to create interest in football and provides lots of physical activity for the kids.
The league was headed up by Coach Louie Laborin and was sponsored by the City of Socorro and the SHS Warrior Football Program. Volunteers help to coach the teams. They included parents, SHS coaches and players, and SHS football alumni.
“Basically, the program gets the kids to understand sportsmanship, have fun, and understand that it is about winning, learning the basics of football, and learning how to be a teammate first,” said Laborin.
“Superbowl I” was played on Friday evening in an almost packed Warrior Stadium that mostly included parents and relatives showing their support for their players.
In the AFC division, there are five teams for ages eight to ten years old kids. The Dolphins, Broncos, Colts, Raiders, and Chargers competed against each other. The Raiders were the eventual first year champions, beating the Dolphins in a hard fought seven overtimes.
In the NFC division, 11 to 13 year old kids play on five separate teams.
They are the Vikings, Eagles, Cowboys, Saints, and the Cardinals. The Cowboys beat the Saints in the championship game.
The league had been playing regular season games for the last month, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Each team played eight regular-season games. The playing field is 60 yards by 30 yards. Time limit on each game is two twenty minute halves. A team has four downs to get to midfield. Then another four downs to score.
The league is looking to expand next year's program. Laborin said, “It was sad because we had to turn some kids away because they heard about it late. So we're expecting a bigger turnout next year; more teams, and maybe even a third division.
“Hopefully, we'll get to the point where we have a league where we will be actually playing tackle football with pads and helmets. We're looking forward for this program to grow, so we're real excited.”
If anyone is interested in helping with the program, contact Norbert Peralta at the Finley Gym. You may also contact Laborin or Coach Damian Ocampo at the high school.

Flag Football Season Ends With Super Bowl