The Delaware Jr Pacers defense swarming to make a tackle
← FootballFall · Grades 3–6 · Registration Closed

Fall Tackle

Full pads, certified safety equipment, and real competition in the Central Ohio Youth Football League. Small rosters mean every kid plays.

Grades3–6
League play · AYF-affiliatedCOYFL
Local Sunday gamesAug–Oct
Roster cap before waitlist28
What they'll learn

Real football, taught step by step

Every player builds the fundamentals, with the form, safety, and confidence to grow from whatever their starting point.

Skill 01 of 05

Blocking

Where every play starts: hand placement, leverage, and moving a defender off the ball as a unit.

Start lineBeginners start with stance and footwork before any contact. Form first, always.
Jr Pacers players battling in the trenches
On the field

Tackle, in action

Pacers battling in the trenches
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Pacers ball carrier on an offensive run
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers team lined up on the field
Jr Pacers coaches with the team trophy
The Jr Pacers team huddled together in the rain
Jr Pacers player in his helmet, ready to play
Jr Pacers player running the ball
The Jr Pacers taking the field
The Jr Pacers celebrating together in the end zone
Two Jr Pacers teammates on game day
Jr Pacers players with the championship hardware
Pacers battling in the trenches
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Pacers ball carrier on an offensive run
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers team lined up on the field
Jr Pacers coaches with the team trophy
The Jr Pacers team huddled together in the rain
Jr Pacers player in his helmet, ready to play
Jr Pacers player running the ball
The Jr Pacers taking the field
The Jr Pacers celebrating together in the end zone
Two Jr Pacers teammates on game day
Jr Pacers players with the championship hardware
Pacers player makes a one-handed catch
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Pacers player hurdles a defender
Pacers defender makes the tackle
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Pacers make a game-day tackle
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Jr Pacers player in his helmet on game day
Jr Pacers player celebrating under the goalpost
A Jr Pacers coach and player with a medal
Two Jr Pacers players celebrating a win
A smiling Jr Pacers player on the sideline
Jr Pacers player celebrating with arms raised
Jr Pacers player carrying the team flag
Jr Pacers player adjusting his helmet
Jr Pacers players celebrating a victory
The Jr Pacers team taking a knee together
Pacers player makes a one-handed catch
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Pacers player hurdles a defender
Pacers defender makes the tackle
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Pacers make a game-day tackle
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Delaware Jr Pacers game-day action
Jr Pacers player in his helmet on game day
Jr Pacers player celebrating under the goalpost
A Jr Pacers coach and player with a medal
Two Jr Pacers players celebrating a win
A smiling Jr Pacers player on the sideline
Jr Pacers player celebrating with arms raised
Jr Pacers player carrying the team flag
Jr Pacers player adjusting his helmet
Jr Pacers players celebrating a victory
The Jr Pacers team taking a knee together
Our Coaches

Meet the coaching staff

Pick a grade to meet its volunteer coaches. Every team is led by coaches focused on fundamentals, safety, and development. Photos, and a bit about why they coach, are on the way.

TJ Skillen, Head Coach
Head CoachTJ Skillen
Volunteer Coach

Part of the crew that shows up for Delaware's kids, week in and week out.

Coming soonWhy they coach, and what they hope to pass on to the boys.

Family Stories

What tackle means to Pacers families

Here's how family stories will look once we gather them — short notes and video clips from parents. These are examples for now; real ones take their place as families share.

Example

“He'd never played a down before this. The coaches started him with the basics and never once made him feel behind. Now he counts down the days to Sunday.”

The Delgado FamilyTackle parent
ExampleVideo story
The Barnes FamilyTackle parent
Example

“What won us over was the safety. They coach the right way to tackle and drill it slow every practice before it ever picks up speed.”

The Whitfield FamilyTackle parent
Example

“Small rosters mean he actually plays instead of watching from the bench. Two seasons in and this team feels like our second family.”

The Okafor FamilyFootball family
ExampleVideo story
A returning familyTackle parent
01 / 05
Get Involved

Parents make it run

Jr Pacers is 100% volunteer-run, and you don't need to know a thing about football to help. If you can show up, there's a spot for you. Every hour keeps registration affordable and the season rolling.

Chains & clockSideline

Chains & clock

Work the sideline crew that keeps the game moving. A front-row seat and one of the easiest ways to help — the refs walk you through it.

  • Hold the down marker and move the chains to each new first down
  • Run the play clock or game clock from the sideline
  • Signal the current down to the refs, coaches, and crowd
  • No experience needed — the officials guide you every play
Concessions & gateGame day

Concessions & gate

The concession stand and gate fund a big chunk of the season. Grab a shift and keep game day running.

  • Take orders and serve snacks, drinks, and game-day favorites
  • Run the cash box and restock between the rush
  • Check families in and take admission at the gate
  • Every dollar goes back to equipment, refs, and field costs
Events & fundraisingEvents

Events & fundraising

Help run the Spaghetti Dinner, a raffle, or a team event. Perfect for the organizers and planners.

  • Set up, run, and tear down team events like the Spaghetti Dinner
  • Sell raffle tickets and coordinate prize donations
  • Help hit the fundraising goals that keep registration affordable
Welcome teamNew families

Welcome team

Greet new families, answer questions, and help first-year Pacers feel right at home.

Parade & extrasAnytime

Parade & extras

Lend a truck for the parade, help on Equipment Pickup Day, or jump in wherever the team needs a hand.

Roster & Documents

How roster spots and verification work

The first 28 completed registrations in a grade are guaranteed a roster spot. After that, players move to a waitlist while we review total numbers, coach availability, and safe team sizes.

When a grade reaches 28

Waitlisted players may still be placed if roster space opens or if participation and approved-coach numbers support forming another team. Our goal is safe, manageable rosters with meaningful instruction and playing opportunities.

Equipment Day documents

Bring a birth certificate for age verification and a grade card or school document for grade verification. The Board checks these against the registration record.

What we keep

Jr Pacers does not retain the original birth certificate. The organization may photograph required verification documents and the player to create a secure eligibility profile for league or game-official review.

Families help protect every roster by reinforcing attendance, commitment, sportsmanship, and respect throughout the season. See our Privacy Policy for how information is handled.

Registration closed

Fall tackle registration is closed

The 2026 Fall Tackle registration window has closed. Spring 7v7 is the next expected registration opportunity, opening in early 2027.

Cost shouldn't keep a kid off the field. Ask us about confidential, need-based scholarships — no kid gets turned away.

Looking ahead

Spring 7v7 returns in 2027

Registration is closed for 2026. Explore the non-contact Spring 7v7 program before registration is expected to open in early 2027.