Swapping swears for sweat: Push-up penalties set tone for youth football season

Those with a potty mouth may find themselves a little more fit this football season, according to Sam Blevines, the new Dartmouth Youth Football League president, who is implementing a no-swear policy on his field. 

Those caught swearing will be required to do 10 push ups — “as a parent, as a player, even our coaches,” Blevines said. “Obviously, sometimes the game gets the best of us in practice or whatever and there may be a word that slips out and you will be doing pushups.”

He added, “We hold each other accountable to it.”

This policy comes as one of the ways Blevines said he wants to “change the culture” of youth football in order to enhance the “great environment” that the league has always been for kids.

The league had its first games Sunday, Sept. 1, and it was also the first games where players tried out their new jerseys and had the option to wear their padded Guardian Caps over their helmets. 

Mandated in practice last season, Blevines said the league got permission to wear the caps in games as long as they match the white helmet color.

He said the league also got jerseys “that are a little more swag,” with each player’s name on the back. 

“We're trying to make it a little more fun for the kids,” Blevines said, adding how it would not have been possible without the help of parents and business sponsors, including Aaron Pools and Spas, Scott James Furniture and Design, Farland Corp., Hawthorn Orthopedics and Spine and Kiddie Kampus. 

Blevines said he served as treasurer for the last seven years and coached over the last decade. Though his son is aging out this year and headed for the Dartmouth High School team, his 8-year-old son is still making his way through the league. 

In addition to himself, he said there were a few other “changes of the guard,” including new Football Commissioner Joey Moniz, who is doing a “great job so far,” and Vice President Kayla Nunes, who has been with the organization for over a decade, with her son aging out a few years ago.

Nunes will also continue to help with the cheer organization, which is now being coordinated by Katie Nicholson, who has been a coach for the team for a couple of years.

Blevines said both cheer and football continue to grow in numbers, with Nicholson highlighting an “influx” of sign ups, especially after last season's cheer success.

Also new to cheer this year are the Junior Tiny Mites, who are the 3- and 4-year-olds who were unable to cheer before.

“We had little ones who were just excited seeing their big sisters cheer and we decided to open the program for junior tinies,” Nicholson said. “I think we’re one of the few leagues in the area that have the junior tinies.”

Madeline Labonte, 7, said its her first year cheering and “nothing really” made her want to join, but so far she likes its, especially the “If Your Up Cheer,” which she demonstrated goes: “If your up, your up / if your down, your down / if you’re up against dartmouth, you’re upside down.”

Ai’ella Pineda, 5, said her personal favorite cheer is: “Strawberry shortcake / huckleberry pie / take that victory to the sky!”

Nicholson said, “We’re just excited to see where the season takes us.”