Springfield – The Springfield Tigers Youth Football team went to Naples, FL to take on some of the best youth athletes in the country for the title of National Champion.
Led by head coaches Waddy Jenkins, Ryan Harrison, Reshawn Buckhannon and Fred Gonzalez, the 7U, 9U, 12U and 13U teams played at the Paradise Sports Complex in Naples from Dec. 8 – 14.
“This group of kids worked extremely hard to get to where they’re at,” said Jenkins, who coaches the 7U players. “They’ve practiced 3-4 times a week since July, traveling to places like Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, just to play more competitive games so they’re prepared for moments like this.”
Leading up to their travels to Florida, the teams held practices Tuesday, Dec. 3rd, Wednesday, Dec. 4th and Thursday, Dec. 5th from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Central High School in Springfield.
Now a powerhouse in New England youth football, the Springfield Tigers association has grown to become the largest youth football organization in the region. Born from the 2015 merger of two formidable programs, SYF (formerly CYO Panthers) and Springfield 5A, the Tigers have established a legacy of excellence and community impact that continues to thrive today.
Founded in 1992 by Ray Jordan, Springfield 5A brought together a community of young athletes, fostering competition and camaraderie. Similarly, SYF, under the leadership of Bill Watson and Wayne Barbour, built a reputation as a competitive force within the SAFL, culminating in numerous Superbowl matchups between the two programs. Recognizing the potential to combine their strengths, Watson and Barbour joined forces to create the Springfield Tigers, a united organization with the shared vision of serving as a feeder program for the Central High School Eagles. ■