DANVILLE -- Cannon balls in swimming pools and skipping rocks on creeks have been replaced by toss sweeps and swing-pass screens for a group of area youngsters.
Roughly 50 boys from Danville and Bloomsburg have kept busy this summer learning the game of football by playing in a new flag football league coordinated by Dr. Daniel Feldmann, Geisinger's chief of sports medicine, and Jeremy Winn, Danville High School's head football coach.
The league, sponsored by Danville's T-Railers football league, has taken flight through the help of many volunteers and the passion of its 5- to 7-year-old boys, according to Dr. Feldmann. Among the key benefits, Dr. Feldmann says, is the foundation of playing organized sports the boys learn as they prepare for the next step of midget football.
"When we started many of them didn't know what a set or hike was," Dr. Feldmann said. "Now, they're running simple plays and learning how to play together as a team. We're hoping they get a taste of what football is like and gain some basics for when they are old enough to play at the next level (8 years old)."
In addition to learning new football skills, the boys are staying active during a time of year when there are less opportunities for them to play sports, Dr. Feldmann said. They are also staying fit through the cardiovascular benefits of playing an active sport, he added.
"Right now there isn't a lot of stuff going on," Dr. Feldmann said. "Many of them aren't old enough to play Little League and most soccer leagues are done for the summer. We felt this would be a great introduction to football, as well as a good opportunity for them to stay active."
Although the eight-week schedule is nearing its end, Dr. Feldmann said there is hope the league will be more popular next summer as word spreads of this year's success. The league fielded four teams with eight to 10 boys on each team, two squads from Danville and two from Bloomsburg.
Dr. Feldmann said there may be six teams next year.
"The boys have really enjoyed it, so have the parents and our volunteer coaches (three on each team)," Dr. Feldmann said. "As more people hear about it, I'm sure we will get some more players. It would be great if we could get some more (school districts) involved."
Bill Stahlberger, of Danville, is among the corps of fathers helping to coach. Stahlberger said his 5-year-old son, Cole, has really enjoyed his time playing for the Danville Wildcats.
"This is a great way for the boys to prepare themselves for the T-Railers (league)," Stahlberger said. "It's also been a good chance for Cole to meet other players and keep busy over the summer."
So far, Cole said he most enjoys running with the ball and scoring touchdowns.
"That's my favorite thing to do," Cole said. "It's kind of hard on defense (grabbing flags on opposing players)."
Preston Zachman, 6, of Lightstreet, also enjoys running with the ball but chasing down opposing players on defense is also fun.
"Football is my favorite sport," Preston said. "It's been fun learning new things about football."
n E-mail comments to jnorth@dailyitem.com.
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Flag football teaches basic game skills
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