Thunder offers an introduction

Youth Football

By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
   Eric Scott could be coaching the next Lawrence High School football stars.
   The morning news anchor for Jersey 101.5 FM Radio runs the Lawrence Thunder football league.
   The Lawrence Thunder is an instructional league for players in second, third and fourth grades and is part of the Lawrence Lightning Jr. Football Club, Inc. under head coach John Knapp.
   While the Thunder players are just beginning with the basics, the program they learn is based on the same system used by Lawrence High School head football coach Rob Radice.
   ”These players are going to have, from second graders to sophomores in high school, the same basic terminology to continue to build a strong football program for Lawrence,” said Scott. “If a parent thinks their son is going to be interested in playing football at some point, this is the time to get them involved.”
   Scott is still looking for players the Thunder program, which will feature four teams, the White, Blue Yellow and Gold teams.
   ”This is a semi-competitive instructional league,” said Scott. “I don’t call it non-competitive, because football is a competitive sport, so I call it semi-competitive.”
   Scott encourages those who are interested to come out for the program.
   ”We give them the building blocks and the fundamentals,” said Scott. “We stress safety in this program. We stress proper techniques.”
   Scott said the Thunder players learn the correct way to tackle, the right stances, basically, the proper way to play football.
   ”Safety in this league is paramount,” said Scott. “They learn the proper way to position their bodies and where to position themselves on the field.”
   The four teams will compete against each other in games beginning in the middle of September. Instead of playing 11-on-11, the Thunder play 7-on-7 games.
   While Scott would like to see more players come out for his program, he knows he’s competing against soccer and Fall baseball.
   Still, for someone who grew up in the home of Pop Warner, football will always take priority.
   ”My first affection is for football,” said Scott who was raised in Springville, New York. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids to get together and build interpersonal relationships and build a team. I don’t want to disparage the other sports, but I don’t know that you can get that same bonding experience in sports that focus on individual performances. In football everyone has to be on the same page, everyone has to be working together for the team to succeed.”
   Growing up, Scott was immersed in football.
   ”That was your Friday and Saturday,” said Scott. “It’s a great sport, one that teaches invaluable lessons. It teaches discipline. It teaches team work. It teaches them that other people rely on them and they can rely on others.”
   Once the Thunder players have mastered the basics, they move on to the Lightning, which plays in the competitive Mercer County Pop Warner League. Those who stick with it, compete for the Cardinals on the high school team.
   ”Coach Radice told us we’re raising his next generation of players,” said Scott. “If we’re all on the same page and we’re listening to what he says he needs, it ensures that the high school team will have success in the future. It’s critical to a successful season in high school.”
   Those interested in joining the Thunder should call coach Scott at 609-883-2684 or e-mail [email protected].