The West Side Eagles Junior Football Program will strive to provide an opportunity for children to learn and develop the fundamentals of football, with an emphasis on sportsmanship and teamwork to support the Catholic community's commitment to the student-athlete.

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Who we are...

Teams are primarily made up of student-athletes from the parish-schools feeding into Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (BCCHS), but also include home-schooled students planning to attend BCCHS. The Program has made exceptions for out of district student-athletes. For the 2024 season, the program had 15 teams; those teams included 235-players from 195 families with 13 parishes represented:

3 Preschool to Kindergarten flag teams, 3 First to Second grade flag teams, 2 Rookie Tackle (First and Second grade) teams, 2 third-grade teams, 2 fourth-grade teams, 1 fifth-grade team, and 2 sixth-grade teams.

 

Program coaches are charged to prioritize player safety and development. The Program provides training and development opportunities for all Program coaches, the Bishop Carroll Catholic High School football staff supports the Program in those efforts.

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Why Play Tackle Football?

There are many reasons to not play tackle football (risk of injury, high barrier of entry, wearing a helmet hurts, it is hot in summer & cold in the fall), but there are so many benefits (on and off the field) to playing the ultimate team sport.  Click here for details on how changes in football and the WSE football Program strives to keep all student-athletes safe, so that they can experience the greatest sport in the world.

Potential Schedule (scheduled events with actual dates, times, and locations are listed at the bottom of this document) 

• Registration will be open from April to July. Register before June 1st to get a $15/player discount!

• Program plans to host Give Football a Try event for players interested in tackle football in May.  Opportunity for potential first time players to football or our Program to see if the game is for you.  Players will be run through some of the non-contact drills we utilize at our practices.    

• Eagle Pride Speed & Agility Sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from June to July.

• Position camps throughout June and July.

• Practices begin (potentially) on August 4th for Third to Sixth grade, and August 12th for Flag and Rookie Tackle.

• Green and Gold scrimmage (potentially) on August 23th.

• Games on Saturdays in September and October. For the 2025 season, the first game is on September 6th and the last game on October 25th. Typically, games are scheduled from younger to older, games will start as early as 9AM and latest games will be scheduled to start no later than 4:30PM.

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Practice and Game Information

Practice days and times may vary depending on age/grade and coaches’ availability/preference. Most all practices will be Bishop Carroll. Practices will run from 75 to 105 minutes. Here are how practices are typically scheduled:

• Flag and Rookie Tackle – 1 to 2 nights per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade Squads – 2 to 3 nights per week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.

League games are played in the Mid-State Football League, which includes schools/programs such as Junior Crusaders (Kapaun), Goddard, Maize, Andale, Hutchinson, Buhler, Collegiate, Andover, Derby, and many more. Teams typically get at least 3 home games at Bishop Carroll.

 

2025 Fees

• Player Fees:

  •  Flag Football for Age 4 (as of August 1st) to Second Grade - $95/player.

  • Rookie Tackle for First and Second Grades - $125/player.

  • Full Football for Third to Sixth Grades - $165/player.

  • $15/player discount if registered by June 1st.

  • Plus, a $15 administrative fee. · Scholarships are available for families with financial needs. Please complete our scholarship application to be considered.

• Fees cover: Mid-State league fee, game officials, use of Program reversible game jersey, use of Program practice equipment, practice field upkeep, and other Program expenses.

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Do not let finances be the reason your son does not participate in our program.  Scholarships are available for those with a financial need. Please fill out the scholarship application by clicking here. 

 

Necessary Tackle Equipment

Needed to Play Rookie Tackle or Full Football (not included in the fees)

• Helmet – Manufactured in the last 10-years AND certified in the last 3-years (new helmets are certified). Fit the player properly. White shell with gray facemask with a chin strap. Many options for helmets, most in the program go to Play It Again Sports but Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, and Scheels also have good options. For guidance on purchasing a helmet, Virginia Tech rates most youth helmets on the market.  If you have a question, do not hesitate to contact a WSE director or coach.

• Mouthpiece with strap to attach to facemask.

• Shoulder Pads.

• Black game pants. Will need hip, tailbone, thigh, and knee pads (typically players use pants with built in pads). Many use the same game pants for practice.

• Cleats – must be of pliable rubber or plastic (no hard rubber & plastic or metal).  

 

The total cost of the items above can range from $150 (slightly used equipment) to $450 (brand new top of the line). Helmets, shoulder pads, and pants can typically be worn for 2-3 seasons.

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Prior to the first practice, program directors and/or coaches will evaluate all the items above to confirm that they fit and meet program and league guidelines. Program directors and coaches have the right to reject an item.

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Necessary Flag Football Equipment

Needed to Play Flag Football (not included in the fees)

• Cleats – must be of pliable rubber or plastic (no hard rubber & plastic or metal).  

• Mouthpiece.

 

We Need Your Support

The Program expects family members and spectators to be positive role-models to our student-athletes. Understand the purpose of athletics is to build character with the individual student-athlete and that athletics are about the student-athletes learning and having fun. They should make their cheers supportive and not derogative to other spectators, players, coaches, or officials.

 

Please consider taking on one of our many volunteer roles in the Program.  Team Mom, Coach, Videographer/Media Director (coordinate that most games are filmed and the film is uploaded to Hudl), Event Coordinator (picture day, our mums fundraiser), Practice Manager (support our coaches during practices), Host Support Staff (program typically hosts at least 4 times a season), Emergency Team Member (looking for EMTs, doctors, nurses, fireman to keep our football family safe).  

 

Football Leadership

The football program is under the leadership of the following board of directors:

Matt Bye, Blessed Sacrament

Drew Droegemeier. St. Elizabeth Anne Seton

Jeremy Ferguson, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Colin McEntee, St. Peter the Apostle

Nic Means, St. Francis of Assisi

Jessica Parsons, St. Catherine of Siena

Chris Jaax, Bishop Carroll Head Football Coach

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