Whetstone Valley Youth Football Sizes Up First Season of Flag Football

The Whetstone Valley Youth Football (WVYF) program in Milbank completed its inaugural year of flag football. “In general, I think it has gone very well for the first year,” said volunteer coach Steve Wenzl.

Organizers say the impetus for the program came from parents. Heidi Wellnitz says, “With the NFL sponsoring flag football, and WVYF already working with USA Football, it made sense to work together to bring it to Milbank.” Parents volunteered to be coaches and several MHS football players also volunteered.

Four teams of 10 players -all second and third-graders – formed the league. Players practiced and played games against each other
twice a week.

The group is considering expanding the grades eligible to play next year. According to Wellnitz, “Flag football allows the young athletes
to experience the fundamentals and basic skills of football before strapping on gear and/or worrying about getting tackled.”

WVYF was started in 2006 with 75 players.