Our major goals are to provide these young athletes an opportunity to learn the basic techniques and fundamentals that will allow them to be successful and remain safe while having the time of their lives playing and learning the sport of football.”

Head Coach Joe Karlen

Practices are held at Chapman Park in Stanley with games held at Weber Field in Chippewa Falls.

Tackle football is back in Stanley for thirty local fifth and sixth graders.

The program started practicing Aug. 7. The new youth tackle football program is not a school-sponsored sport but is affiliated with the Chippewa Falls Youth Football program. While there are no height restrictions, the CFYF program follows the same USA Football guidelines followed across the nation to keep players as safe as possible when it comes to weight. For this reason, any player weighing in at over 100 lbs. is not allowed to play running back, quarterback, or receiver in an effort to keep all athletes on a safe and even playing field.

Stanley resident Joe Karlen is the team president and head coach, assisted by Mike Geist, Chris Sorenson and John Hoel, who will be offering their own knowledge and expertise. Coach Sorenson will work with the quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers, while Coach Hoel will lead and teach the linemen on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Coach Geist and Head Coach Karlen will then rotate back and forth between the athletes that are broken down into groups to assess them as a whole as well as individually. All coaches will then be involved as players will scrimmage to simulate game like scenarios. Within the league, all coaches are USA Football Certified, having received training in response to cardiac arrest as well as other traumas, including concussions. 

Karlen shared his goals for the football program.

“Our major goals are to provide these young athletes an opportunity to learn the basic techniques and fundamentals that will allow them to be successful and remain safe while having the time of their lives playing and learning the sport of football,” he said.

He shared how proud they are to be a part of the CFYF program.
“The league is celebrating its 50th year this year and they have helped multiple generations of athletes and coaches learn the game the way it should be played. They expect these athletes to carry themselves with class, show sportsmanship, show up and be accountable and be good students as well. If a league like this is thriving with numbers and teams like this and celebrating its 50th anniversary I would say that says more than enough about the kind of organizers and volunteers running this great league,” Karlen said.

Karlen feels strongly about the importance of player sportsmanship and encouraging each other as a team.

“What myself and the other parents responsible for getting this back on its feet hope to accomplish is to get a solid youth tackle program in place that will be here to teach and mentor these young athletes in the years to come. We want to provide quality role models and coaches to help these young athletes both on and off the field,” he said. “We also respect the mindset of a team sport and what it can teach these kids. Team sports teach far more than just the game. Some of the things that come to mind that they can learn is loyalty, responsibility, accountability, respect, being cooperative and coachable. These are all traits that can also help them in school and society.” 

Karlen also shared his thoughts on the benefit of playing tackle football at this age level.

“I don’t feel as if I’m an expert of any sort to be able to say that tackle football is better than flag, but I do also feel strongly that if my athletes have a chance to play tackle right now and learn fundamentals for two years prior to going into the school sponsored side of the sport that they will be prepared for what it brings at that next level. I’m quite glad personally that we have both the flag and tackle leagues available to our youth here in Stanley as it gives the kids the opportunity to see what’s best for them personally instead of only having one option in the recent past.”  

 He continued, “I totally respect the flag football program in Stanley and know that the leaders and organizers do a good job teaching the kids skills that will benefit them, but I also feel like our athletes should have the option to play tackle football. I, as well as the league organizers, feel that by starting the athletes young and having coaches teach them the proper fundamentals that it can make them more prepared for the next level of football that they will embark on when they strap on a helmet and pads at the 7th grade level. By giving the athletes an option to play tackle I just feel they’re benefitting with this extra couple of years’ experience.”

And the tackle football program is not just for the boys. According to Coach Karlen, girls are welcome and encouraged to join as well.

“The league absolutely invites girls to play and participate. To be honest, last season I feel one of the top three athletes in the league at the defensive end position was a girl from Cadott and she performed at a very high level. We were all very impressed. I am from the mindset that if a young lady wants to come out here and compete and put the work in that she’s just as welcome to join us as anyone else,” he said.

Practices are held at Chapman Park in Stanley with games held at Weber Field in Chippewa Falls, which is known for its easy location, great parking, and handicap accessibility.

Karlen added that Weber Fields “provides an awesome concession stand for all of your goodies. The location and facility is just a great location for a family to come enjoy watching some great young athletes compete and just live their best life.” 

The first scrimmage is August 19 and games will continue on Saturdays for eight weeks.

The team in Stanley doesn’t currently have sponsors but would welcome and appreciate any support to help purchase items that will benefit them in practice and on game days. To make a donation or for more information, contact Karlen.