Participation, excitement growing within Gateway Midget Football and Cheerleading Association

Last fall was a banner season for the Gateway Midget Football and Cheerleading Association.

All four of its football teams — flag (ages 5-6), Termites (7-8), Mites (9-10) and Midgets (11-12) made the Big East Youth Football League playoffs.

The Termites, Mites and Midgets advanced to the semifinals.

“We’re not just squeaking in,” said Kip Stewart, GMFCA president.

“We’re talking about No. 2 seeds, legit contenders. The kids battled hard. We wish we could’ve gotten a couple teams to their championship games, but they played really well and represented the organization well. Now, it is an expectation for all four teams to make the playoffs. That is the confidence we have.”

The four teams and the cheerleading group have been practicing and preparing for the upcoming season. Sunday (Aug. 13) marked the start of game play as the Mites (5:30) and Midgets (7:30) faced Aliquippa in the Kickoff Classic at Antimarino Stadium.

Gateway also hosted a 10-team flag tournament.

The Gateway teams will visit Penn-Trafford on Sunday (Aug. 20) for a Week Zero exhibition. The games don’t count in the final standings but are in place to not only give each team an extra week of preparation but also to give four teams an extra home game for a rounded out four-home-and-four-away schedule.

Gateway officially begins its season Aug. 27 against Jeannette at Antimarino Stadium.

The eight teams in the league — Gateway, Penn-Trafford and Jeannette as well as McKeesport, Woodland Hills, Ar-Ken, Kiski Valley and Franklin Regional — will play each team once for seven games.

“For our program, where we came from to where we are now, the thing that has helped us find success is having the same coaches come back every year,” said Stewart, who took over as president eight years ago.

“You’re talking about 85% coach retention. It is so important for the kids to have that same message every year and feel that continuity and consistency. That is the same with the board. The kids and the families come in every season knowing what to expect. We’re all pulling in the same direction.”

Stewart said the numbers are healthy again this season with 35 at the flag level, 42 for the Termites, 48 for the Mites, and 49 for the Midgets.

He said there also are close to 100 cheerleaders in the organization, the most in more than a decade.

“It’s an awesome feeling to have that excitement and interest,” Stewart said.

“That is the same with the cheerleading teams. They’re working hard on their routines for the season. (Gateway varsity) coach (Don) Holl spoke to the teams right before the playoffs last year, and he remarked at how healthy the situation is. He is pretty excited to see all these kids out here playing and working to get better. On any given day, you will see current and former Gateway (varsity) players come down to watch practice. One day, Derrick Davis (Pitt) came down and talked to the kids. Jaymar Parrish (Pitt) also was here. That is a big thing for the kids. ”

Stewart emphasized that each youth team is learning similar sets of plays and terminology as the Gateway varsity team and are building at each level on what they learned at the previous level.

“A healthy and competitive feeder program means great things when these kids get older and get into high school,” Stewart said. “They will be ready to go and be successful. And we’re definitely not only about wins and losses. We work to make sure they are the best human beings they can be.”

Stewart said it is a special time for the kids when they get to experience the atmosphere of a varsity football game on community night where they are honored before a Gators football game and have the chance to wear their jerseys.

“It is really important to let parents know that the things they are seeing here in the farm system are the same things they are going to see on Friday nights,” said Mark Rawls, vice president of football for GMFCA.

“These kids are not at all a separate group from the high school program. It is everyone working together at each level. The kids on these teams are the future of the program and have a great chance to make a name for themselves. That is exciting.”

Mite team coach Jim Redman said everyone enjoys getting together each summer to prepare for the season.

“This is my seventh year coaching here,” he said.

“We’re a family, and that’s how we run it. We look forward to when the kids put the pads on and are ready to learn the game and prepare for the season with good plays. With all the practices and the drills, we’re now ready to see it come to life in games. We’re really excited for the season.”