For more than a decade, the Hinds County Saints youth football program has given children a way to expend their energy, improve their strength and speed, make lasting friendships, and learn new skills from caring adults who love coaching and working with kids. The program is open to all children in Hinds County, ages 5 through 12.
HCSYF belongs to American Youth Football. AYF rules and regulations ensure players are in a safe environment with a competitive balance between teams. The registration fee is $75. No child will be turned away, however, due to the inability to pay.
Coach James Davis is dedicated to teaching young players positive lessons and preparing them to face the future with confidence, as well as instilling them with love and appreciation for the game of football. “Year after year,” Davis says, “I can’t wait for the new Saints’ season to begin.”
Coach Richard Caston, on why he coaches the Saints, “I know from experience how easy youth can get caught up in the wrong things. I’ve had the chance to watch young, shy kids put on a helmet or pick up a ball, and it has changed their whole outlook on their future. If hard work and dedication are applied to anything in life, ANYTHING is possible. Our youth need us to be loving, caring, disciplined and even hard on them, sometimes. I know a lot of coaches who want our kids to be great. They work hard, coach hard and even fuss hard. But at the end of the day, they LOVE these kids even harder. As a community we have to continue to teach and guide our youngsters in a direction to success. We all have different ways of helping...This is mine.”
Coaches for the 2021 season are James Davis, Richard Caston, Eric West, Mario Macklin, Marlon Kidd, Willie Marshall, Horace Palmer, Russell Creason, Eric Williams and Percy McGee. Teams are based on age: A Team, ages 11-12; B Team, ages 9-10; C Team, ages 7-8, D Team ages 5-6.
Team Mom, Krystal Mason of Bolton, says she can’t say too many good things about the Saints program or the coaches. As the single mother of two sons, Mason says she found the outstanding male role models she wanted for her boys, when they joined Saints Youth Football. “My older son played on the A Team that won the district championship in 2019. That was incredibly exciting! The coaches have such a passion for the game and they are devoted to these kids. Some kids can’t pay the registration fee, but they never turn anyone away. They always find a way to make it possible so that every child that wants to play, can play. Donations to help sponsor a child are welcomed and greatly appreciated.” And she added, “It’s not too late to sign up, kids. Come play with the Saints!”
Practices are held on Mondays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. on the field behind Raymond Glass Company, 12450 Highway 18. Games are played on weekends, August through December.
For more information call Krystal Mason, 601-951-7273 or Coach Caston, 601-503-0281. Find “Hinds County Saints” on Facebook and join the group.
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