Two of the Three open Executive Board positions were filled on Monday's January Board Meeting. 

Matt Hansel was elected for a one year term as President of the NYFL.  This will be Matt's third year as President.  He is not affiliated with any franchise.

Gloria Binno was elected for a two year term as Secretary of the NYFL.  Gloria is affiliated with the Clarkston Chiefs franchise where she has spent many years as an Assistant Team Director.  She has been very active with the Chiefs organization helping out with a number of support activities.

The position of General Manager - Cheer/Pom remains open.  The league is seeking a person to fill this position.   This would be a two year commitment.

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

Send Score results to northernyouthfootball@yahoo.com

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

Send Score results to northernyouthfootball@yahoo.com

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

Send Score results to northernyouthfootball@yahoo.com

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

Send Score results to northernyouthfootball@yahoo.com

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

NOTE: Home team listed on bottom

The Auburn Hills Makos Freshman Blue squad will open the 2008 season on the brand new Auburn Hills Civic Center Field, nick named the "Shark Tank".  After three season at three different fields (Rochester High, Avondale High & Adams High), the Makos can finally call Auburn Hills home. 

With the support of the local civic community and donations by the Makos, this grass field will have all the emenities that a team can be proud of including lights, bleachers and concessions.

The first opponent will be the Birmingham Patriots Freshman White.  Kickoff is scheduled for 10am on August 23rd.  Congratulations to Pat Kelly and the Auburn Hills Makos.  Of course, Welcome Home.

Where: Lake Orion High School

When :  November 2, 2008

During the April board meeting, Oakland Christian, represented by Lion's alumni Luther Ellis, petitioned the NYFL to become the newest franchise.  After some discussion, the board voted to ask the Oakland Christian Lancers to become the 9th franchise of the NYFL.  The Lancers will participate by playing students from the school and field a Freshman, JV and Varsity squad.  Home games for Oakland will be at Notre Dame Prep. 

Today, Oakland Christian accepted the invitation and became the 9th franchise of the Northern Youth Football League.  But, after realizing the amount of effort asked to begin during the 2009 season.

In other board business:

The Brandon Jr. Blackhawks will be the host for NYFL Super Bowl IV at Brandon High School.  The Brandon High School is completing a new football field with all the toys and whistles including two advance scoreboards and on field lockerrooms. 

Additionally, playoff hosts were decided for 2008.   The Clarkston Chiefs and Pontiac Panthers will host Round 1 with the Auburn Hills Makos (with new home location) and Lapeer hosting Round 2.

Finally, the Makos can call a place home.  After 3 years of bouncing around East Oakland County, the Auburn Hills Makos announce that the New Auburn Hills Civic Center Field will be the permanent home for the Makos.

It has been a tough ride as the Makos home has been Rochester High School (2005), Avondale High School (2006) and Adams High School (2007).  But, the city of Auburn Hills is now proud to host the Makos at the New Civic Center Field which is expected to be completed in August. 

The Civic Center Field is located on Valley View Drive which is West off of North Squirrel Road next to the Oakland University Campus.  It will be a grass field with all the emenities.  Congratulations to the Auburn Hills Makos.

The following rules were changed for the 2008 season:

• Saturday Night Football Games may not be scheduled after 7:30pm.
• Playoff Football Games may not be scheduled after 6pm.
• Blowout differential raised to 35 points.
• 18 point rules were dismissed
• Running clock rule was dismissed
• Summer practice was scheduled to begin August 4th
• Franchise split rules were changed to be managed at the franchise level
• Rules meeting was expanded to have Head Coaches, GM's and Presidents
• Spotters may not go into coach's box
• Weigh In Rules were detailed
• Weight ceilings were raised 5 lbs for all levels
• Tackling by the horse collar will receive unsportsmanlike penalty
• Multiple team franchises will have teams in opposite divisions
• Cheer squad minimum raised to 6

Monday, the NYFL conveened for the annual rules meeting.  This meeting is used to determine rules that need to be adjusted, added or just eliminated to meet the "Kids First" philosophy.  The vote will be held during the March monthly meeeting.  Here is what the league came up for 2008:

• Saturday Night Games must start at 7:30 pm or earlier
• Playoff Games must start at 6PM or earlier
• Numerous Blow Out Rules are being considered
• Elimination of the 18 point no pass/no 2 point conversion rule
• Potential elimination of the 35 point running clock
• Start summer practice August 4th
• Eliminate the rules on how to separate dual teams
• Rule to include Head Coaches at rules meeting.
• Rule to keep spotters out of the coaching box.
• Rule to adjust weight limits 5 or 10 lbs.
• XMan rule for players over weight limit.
• Rule to put a ceiling of 5 7-year olds per team.
• Discussion on Dual Participation cheerleading rule

After 3 years and a lot of hard work, the Brandon Jr. Blackhawks announce that they are going to attempt to field a Varsity team for the 2008 season.   Much discussion and relationship building went into this effort between the Jr. Blackhawks and the Brandon School district. 

The NYFL would like to congratulate Al Manfroni and his Jr. Blackhawk franchise on a job well done. 

 With the Brandon Jr. Blackhawks adding a Varsity team and Birmingham expanding to two Varsity teams, the NYFL will have 9 Varsity teams for the upcoming Varsity season.

At the January board meeting, officers were voted on for the 2008 -2009 season.  The board is returning in its entirety.

President - Matt Hansel - 2008 Season

Vice President - Ken Grant - 2008 -2009 Season

Secretary - Gary Gozdor - 2008 Season

General Manager Football - Jay Bland - 2008 - 2009 Season

General Manager Cheer - Shannyn McClellan - 2008 Season

Treasurer - Al Manfroni - 2008-2009 Season

 Additionally, the following franchises announced new Presidents for thier franchise.

Lapeer Steelers - Bob Travis

Waterford Corsairs - Rick Bicknell

Congratulations to the new Presidents and good luck to them.

At the January Board Meeting, the Birmingham Patriots announced that they plan to field two Varsity teams for the 2008 season.  With over 60 players returning at the Varsity level, two solid teams can be created.

The Birmingham Patroits joined the NYFL in 2006 as a new franchise.  In 2008, they will become the largest franchise in the NYFL with 6 full football squads.  Congratulations to Gregg Parry and his franchise.

At the November 2007 board meeting, it was decided it was necessary to create an expansion committee.  These three gentlemen will investigate franchises interested in joining the NYFL.  There is a need to add a minimum of one franchise to even out the number of teams at all three levels.

The expansion committee will have no more than 3 teams present at the January 2008 meeting.  These teams must be willing to embrase the "Kids First" philosophy and agree to the terms of the NYFL By-laws and Competition Rules.

The three members are:

• Gregg Parry - President of Birmingham Patriots
• Ken Grant - President of Lake Orion Dragons
• Jay Bland - NYFL General Manager

If interested in expansion information, email the league secretary at northernyouthfootball@yahoo.com.

NYFL Super Bowl III - Waterford at Pierce Middle School - November 10 or 11

American Division

Round 1 - Lake Orion @ Lake Orion High School - October 27 or 28
Semi - Finals - Birmingham @ Seaholm High School - November 3 or 4

National Division

Round 1 - Auburn Hills @ Avondale High School - October 27 or 28
Semi - Finals - Brandon @ Varsity Field - November 3 or 4

Memorials:

Flowers were sent to the families of James Taylor (Pontiac Coach) and AJ Lerner (Son of Coach Lerner from Lake Area Hawks) to recognize and support them during their time of need. 

Divisional Line Up for Junior Varsity and Freshman:

American:
Auburn Hills Makos Silver
Lapeer Steelers
Birmingham Patriots White
Waterford Corsairs Blue
Lake Orion Dragons Green
Clarkston Chiefs Blue
Pontiac Panthers

National:
Auburn Hills Makos Blue
Birmingham Patriots Blue
Waterford Corsairs Green
Lake Orion Dragons White
Brandon Jr. Blackhawks
Clarkston Chiefs White

Teams were lined up through lottery.  Varsity will have one division.

Schedule:

Because of the odd number of teams.  A 7 game schedule will be adopted for the 2007 season.  Schedule should be completed in the next week.

Auburn Hills Makos family day at Eastern Michigan is scheduled for September 30th.  It was decided that the Lapeer Steelers Varsity will be hosted on that day.

The Lapeer Steelers will host Varsity day.  The last day of the Varsity regular season will see 3 back to back games played at Lapeers home field. 

Sterling Heights Redskins have been contacted to see if they would be interested to join the NYFL.  Adding the Redskins would eliminate bye weeks and allow a 8 game season.  Discussion will take place on Wednesday June 13th.

On behalf of the NYFL, I would like send condolences to the family of Pontiac Panthers Coach James Taylor on their loss of a great coach and a great man.  Please find below the information on the funeral arrangements for this coach who will be missed. - Matt Hansel, President, NYFL.

TAYLOR, JAMES M. "Jim" "Coach Taylor";of Pontiac, formerly of Clarkston; suddenly May 2, 2007 due to a heart attack; age 38. Loving husband of April for 17 years; adoring father of J.T. "James", Dustin and his little girl Tiffany; son of Terry (Bill) Turk and the late Bob (Kathleen) Taylor; brother of Tim (Becky) Taylor, Linda Josephson (Steve Pugh), Barbara Couwlier, Dwayne (Valerie) Lile and Tammy (Jimmy) Martin; son-in-law of Sam Martin (the late Bob Cain); grandson of Neil and Lois Nelson; uncle of 14 nieces and nephews. Jim was a valued employee at Highwood Die & Engineering, Pontiac for 18 years. Jim coached the Pontiac Panthers for 4 years. Following in his father s footsteps, Jim cherished the time spent coaching his Boys. Funeral Service 12:30 p.m., Monday May 7, 2007 at the Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home where friends may visit Sunday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Interment Ottawa Park Cemetery. Memorial donations to the family will be used for the future care of the children. On line guestbook www.wintfuneralhome.com

News from the April 9th Board Meeting:

Mega Cheer is scheduled for November 4th at Lake Orion High School.
June 1 - Each Franchise must announce how many teams they will field.

New rule will allow Baden Brand footballs for game day.

New 18/30 rule allows for penalties, fines and/or suspensions for practices that lead to large blow outs.

For more information, contact your franchise general manager.

The 2007 Rules meeting had a strong theme to make the football games more competitive by making rules to eliminate the blowout and supporting the NYFL's "Kids First" motto.

Some of the proposed rules that will be voted on in March:

* Official 60 second time out at the 6 minute warning
* Multiple rules to remove starters if leading by more than 18 points
* Multiple rules that will not allow a team to lead by more than approximately 32 points
* Allowance for removeable rubber cleats
* Discussions on whether mouth guards should be attached to helmet
* Rules to allow wrist bands if MHSAA disallows in the future
* Onside kick rules to protect defensive center on return team.
* Rule to remove dual participation for cheerleading
* Proposal for lottery draft for multiple team franchises
* Proposal to change weight limits
* Proposal to disallow any 9th grader from playing in NYFL
* Proposal to change eligibility date for cheerleading back to September 1.
* Proposal for no games Labor Day week
* Proposal to remove defensive point tie-breaker.

A NYFL Bylaw change was agreed to by all franchises to stagger the Executive Board positions.  Only for 2007, the positions of Vice President, General Manager of Football and Treasurer will be for a one year term.  Starting 2008, all Executive Board positions will be for a minimum of two years. 

These proposals will be voted on by the team Presidents at March 12th NYFL meeting.

For more information, please contact your team representative.

From the April 10th Board Meeting:

1)  Motion was made to allow duel participation for cheerleaders.  This motion was defeated 2 votes to 4 votes with Auburn Hills and Lake Orion choosing to abstain.

2)  It was announced that Mega Cheer will be on November 5th at Lake Orion High School.

3)  The Freshman and Junior Varsity will be split into an American Division and National Division.  Annually, these divisions will be decided by blind draw of franchise names.  Top four teams will qualify for playoffs.  Winner from American and National Division will play in Super Bowl II. 

American Division:

Auburn Hills Makos Silver
Auburn Hills Makos Blue
Clarkston Chiefs Blue
Lake Orion Dragons Green
Lake Orion Dragons White
Waterford Corsairs Green

National Division:

Birmingham Patriots
Brandon Jr. Blackhawks
Clarkston Chiefs White
Lapeer Steelers
Pontiac Panthers
Waterford Corsairs Blue

4)  The league agreed to standardize the game day footballs.  Freshman will use the K2, the JV will use the TDY and the Varsity will use the TDJ of the leather variety.

At the February rules meeting, the NYFL voted on and passed the following rule adjustments:

1)  An adjustment was made to the Varsity 14 year old eligibility rule.  To be eligible, a 14 year old varsity player may not weigh more than 115 lbs.  This player also may not turn 15 years old before December 1, 2006.

2) Every team will use the same style football.  The NYFL has adopted the K2 type football and the equivalence at the Junior Varsity and Varsity level.

3) Age Eligibility date for Cheerleading and Pom Pon was moved from September 1st to December 1st.

Welcome to the Northern Youth Football League. The NYFL was founded in 2005 and created with a "KIDS FIRST" philosophy to promote youth Cheerleading, Football, and Pom Pon. The league currently has 9 franchises with some fielding multiple squads. Member franchises currently include: