The Old Rochester Youth Football and Cheerleading organization’s ninth season is now underway following last Sunday’s match-ups.

Tom Flynn, the group’s president, said there are approximately 200 participants, about 140 kids play football while 60 are part of the cheerleading squad.

The program offers varying levels of play for kids between the ages of 5 and 15. Many go on to play for the high school.

“That’s kind of exciting for us to see a majority of kids from our program play for the Bulldogs,” Flynn said. For the first time, a former youth football player, Zach Bowen, is serving as an assistant coach this year at the high school.

With limited space to practice, Flynn said ORR’s athletic department has been working alongside the group to coordinate schedules.

“We utilize every square inch of grass we can get a hold of at the junior high and high school,” Flynn said. “[Atheltic Director] Bill Tilden has really been an advocate for us.”

Since starting the group has expanded each year due to community support.

“The parents, community and local businesses have been fantastic,” he said. “Football is an expensive sport, and without the generosity of the community we wouldn’t have the program that we do.”

The league is open to residents of Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. Players from surrounding towns without a Pop Warner league are welcome to join as well.

For more information on the youth league, visit www.oryf.com.