GOALS

The goal of Portage Rocket Football (PRF) is to provide the opportunity for youths in Southwestern Michigan to have a positive, enjoyable and fulfilling experience.  The program will teach the ideals of good sportsmanship, respect and teamwork and provide each child with the opportunity to develop the full potential of their playing skills. These objectives will be achieved through continuous upgrades and improvements in the program.  Fundamentals of the game are the most important concept for these children, and winning will not be put ahead of this concept.

RULES

PRF FLAG RULE BOOK 2023

KVRFL Tackle Rulebook 2023

GAME SCHEDULE and LOCATIONS

All flag football games are expected to play on Saturday mornings from roughly 9am-noon. Please reach out to team of interest for details on exact game time and field. Games expected to rotate from Portage West Middle (PWM) and the main high school fields (please refer to specific schedule when issued)

Tackle football home games will be played at either Portage Central (PC) McCamley-Knight Stadium or Portage Northern (PN) Huskie Stadium. Please reach out to team of interest for detailed schedule of home and away games. Below are the tentative dates and locations of games for this season.

9/07/2024: Tackle away / Flag at PWM

09/14/2024: Tackle @ PC / Flag @ PWM

09/21/2024: Tackle away / Flag @ PWM

09/28/2024: Tackle away / Flag @ PWM

10/5/2024: Tackle @ PN / Flag @ PN

10/12/2024: Tackle @ PC / Flag @ PC

10/19/2024: Tackle @ PN (3rd/4th grade only)

Portage Rocket Football Divisions:

FLAG DIVISION:

5&6 years old Flag Football
Must be 5 by August 1st

7&8 years old Flag Football
Must be 7 by August 1st

9&10 years old Flag Football
Must be 9 by August 1st

TACKLE FOOTBALL DIVISION: 

Residency restriction: must live within Portage Public School district or attend a school within Portage Public School district

A player’s grade for the upcoming fall school year will determine the players tackle division to participate. However, a 2nd grader who turns 8 prior to August 1st or weighs at least 85 lbs with equipment will be eligible to play in the 3rd & 4th grade group. If a player is 10 years old as of August 1st and in the 4th grade, the player may choose to move up to play in the 5th & 6th grade group.

3rd and 4th Grade Heads Up Football

  • Max Ball Carrier Weight – 100 lbs
  • Must be in 3rd grade or turn 8 years old by August 1st & weight 85lbs with equipment

5th and 6th Grade Heads Up Football

  • Max Ball Carrier Weight – 145 lbs
  • Must be in 5th grade or be 10 years old by August 1st

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

PRF NFL Flag: Open to all (no residency restrictions). 

PRF Tackle: Must reside in the Portage school district or attend a school within the Portage school district.

SAFER THAN YOU THINK

A Statistical Analysis of Youth Football Players Aged 9-13 Years. An April 2002 study by the Sports Medicine Center at the Mayo Clinic shows, among other things, that “the risk of injury in youth football does not appear greater than other recreational or competitive sports.”  While many studies have been done on football players in the past, most of them focus on the high school age or older. As outlined in the report, “the purpose of the project was to determine the risk of injury in youth football games.” After receiving written consent from all of the parents, the researchers studied over 900 youth football players, ranging in age from 9-13, for an entire season. The study concluded that “youth football injuries are uncommon. Most injuries are mild.”