The Parkland Rangers Youth Tackle Football and Cheer Program has been a staple in our local Athletic community for 9 years and is also making its mark nationwide on two fronts. Part of the national Pop Warner Football Conference, athletes are recognized, not only for their physical abilities, but for their academic achievements. Rangers President Ed Hoffman says, “Athletes have to maintain a certain grade point average to participate in the program. Parkland has done an outstanding job and we currently have so many National Academic All Americans that Rangers are more than half of the total in the entire conference.” In order to achieve this title, a player must have an average of 90% or higher in school.
One of the things that also makes the Rangers different from most Youth Football clubs is their “Must Play” rule. This rule outlines that, in order to effectively teach discipline, dedication and teamwork to each child involved in the program, each player must take the field for a minimum number of plays in every game. The Mandatory Play Rule is what Ed feels makes Pop Warner such an effective and powerful program. “We don’t have situations where kids practice all week and don’t get the opportunity to play in the game. We strive to make sure that every kid has the chance to succeed in games for all of the hard work they put in during the practice week.” The Rangers oversee 6 Football Team Divisions and 5 Cheerleading squads. Ed says, “We were so excited that the City of Parkland expanded Pine Trails Park and built fields just for our program. All of our practices and home games are held there.”
Part of the Greater Miami South Florida Pop Warner Conference, encompassing both Dade and Broward Counties, Ed says, “Some of the best football in the country is played down in this arena.” And the Rangers have proven themselves to be worthy opponents.
Ed adds, “We were excited this year because all of our squads made the playoffs and two of them, the Junior Pee Wee Team and the Pee Wee Team went on to play in the Miami Conference Championship games in their divisions.” The Juniors were defeated in overtime, but the Parkland Pee Wees went on to win the Conference Championship! At press time, the Pee Wees had won 2 of the Southeast Regional playoff games, with more to go in the hopes of bringing home a title to Parkland that’s never been done before. Stay tuned to their website and cheer them on as they work toward the Pop Warner Super Bowl, a National Championship and an amazing first-ever accomplishment for the League.
Go Rangers!!
