Tackle FAQs

HOW ARE DIVISIONS DETERMINED?

A SQUAD - Players must be registered in grade 7 or 8 and cannot turn 15 years old before 12/1 of the present season. No 9th graders will be allowed regardless of weight.

B SQUAD - Players must be registered in grade 5 or 6 and cannot turn 13 years old before 12/1 of the present season with the exception of “older/lighters”. Players over 155 pounds during the pre-season weigh-in must play as interior lineman on offense (Center, Guard or Tackle) in a three-point stance. Players between 126 - 155 pounds during pre-season weigh-in may play as interior lineman as well as TE on offense. They may receive a forward pass but cannot receive a handoff. Players weighing under 126 pounds during pre-season weigh-in are not position limited and may run the ball after receiving a handoff or snap.

C SQUAD - Players must be registered in grade 4 and under and cannot turn 11 years old before 12/1 of the present season with the exception of “older/lighters”. Players over 125 pounds during the pre-season weigh-in must play as interior lineman on offense (Center, Guard or Tackle) in a three-point stance and have a defining mark on the front and back of their helmet. Players between 116 - 125 pounds during pre-season weigh-in may play as interior lineman as well as TE on the line of scrimmage on offense and have a defining mark on the front and back of their helmet. They may receive a forward pass over the line of scrimmage but cannot receive a handoff. Players weighing under 116 pounds during pre-season weigh-in are not position limited and may run the ball after receiving a handoff or snap.

Note: “Older/Lighters” must first be approved by the Member Town Board and will then be approved for Position Eligibility by the Nutmeg League Town Representative Board. Older/Lighter players need to be approved to play skill positions (QB, RB, WR, TE) and are able to take a direct snap or handoff if approved by the Nutmeg League Eligibility Board, by a majority vote. Position eligibility and Older/Lighter status may be revisited by the Nutmeg League Town Board at a future date at any time during the season if an unfair competitive advantage is in question, and final decision will be determined by the Nutmeg League Board by majority vote.

WHEN DO PRACTICES START?

Team conditioning practices will start on July 24, 2023 running Monday thru Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Team full practices will start on July 31, 2023, running Monday thru Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. All practices will be held at Farmington High School.

The week of August 28, 2023 through - the end of the season (late November) practices will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday same time (coach may choose to practice different days), until we lose daylight, at which point, times will be changed and communicated. A Squad will hold Saturday "walk throughs" at 10 AM at Farmington High School.

WHERE AREA PRACTICES AND GAMES HELD?

Practices are generally on the turf field at Farmington High School. There are times that we will utilize the upper grass field. All Home Games will be held at FHS. Away games are played at a Nutmeg Youth Football League location.

WHEN WILL UNIFORMS/PADS/EQUIPMENT GET DISTRIBUTED?

Coaches will communicate equipment handout once it has been established.

DOES AN ATHLETE NEED TO ATTEND PRACTICE TO RECEIVE PADS?
All players must be present for 5 practices before suiting up in pads.

WHAT DOES AN ATHLETE NEED TO BUY?

Players must be prepared with a t-shirt and shorts for the first two weeks of practices. Cleats should be worn (any rubber type will do, no metal cleats). If this is not possible, sneakers will suffice for the first week. When contact begins on August 7, players will need their own athletic supporter and mouth piece and cleats. See equipment document.

WHEN ARE GAMES?

Games will begin on September 3, 2023. We will play seven games (subject to final NYFL Schedule released in early August) to play all teams in the Nutmeg Youth Football League. Playoffs start on October 29, 2023 and will continue until a champion is declared per division at the Super Bowl on November 12, 2023.

Games are held on Sundays. We make every effort depending on amount of teams per division to travel together as a town (meaning if you have multiple players in different squads you might not need to be in two different places). Estimated game start times are:

C Squad – Noon

B Squad – 2:00 PM

A Squad – 4:00 PM

The finalized game schedule will be published prior to the beginning of the season.

HOW ARE SQUADS DECIDED?

Players are separated into three Divisions A, B, and C, based on grade and age chosen by the coaches based on the evaluation days. Please contact a board member for any questions about which squad your player should play at.

WHAT TOWNS DO WE PLAY?

We are part of the Nutmeg Youth Football League (NYFL) a Premier Youth Football League with eight teams, playing games against other nearby towns.

NYFL member towns:
Farmington Valley Mudhogs - Avon, Burlington, Canton, Farmington and Harwinton

Southington Valley Midget Football League (SVMFL)

West Hartford Youth Football League (WHYFL)

Bearcats Youth Football - Granby, East Granby, Suffield, Windsor Locks, Hartland

Simsbury Youth Football

Wethersfield Eagles Youth Football and Cheerleading (WEYFC)

Woodland Jr. Hawks Football and Cheer

Middletown Jr. Blue Dragons Youth Football - Middletown, Cromwell, Portland, Durham, Higganum & Middlefield

We have a strict set of rules that all towns must follow to make the game safe yet still fun for the kids and parents.

NYFL Rules of Play - NYFL_Rules_of_Play_-_FINAL_Approved_5.27.20

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PLAY?

Registration for tackle is $299 and this includes everything you will need except for, cleats, sports mouth guard, and athletic supporter.

MudHogs offer partial scholarships (registrants must pay the 15% registration fee set by Farmington Recreation Department) and must complete a required number of volunteer hours with the MudHog Organization. Please email fvmudhogs@gmail.com for further inquiry.

HOW DO I REGISTER MY ATHLETE?

You can register now by clicking the registration links on our home page or by visiting Farmington Recreation's website.