The last weeks of summer vacation mean the beginning of the fall sports season. While high school athletes begin to take to the fields for practices, the Old Rochester Youth Football League prepares to start its fall season, too.

Entering its 11th season, the Pop Warner league continues to see growth. There are five teams, with 20 to 25 kids each this year, league president and coach Tom Flynn said. The teams are divided by age – the league is open to kids ages 5 to 14. The younger kids learn in a more controlled practice, with rule modifications appropriate for their age.

“We run those practices differently so kids can learn the game,” Flynn said.

For the older players, Flynn said the coaches emphasize the fundamentals of the game, such as playing heads up football to minimize contact to the head.

“To them it’s Super Bowl Sunday, but to us it’s instructional and to keep them smiling,” Flynn said.

Before the league was started, kids from the tri-town who wanted to play football were scattered all around, and Flynn thinks being able to get kids all in the same place to learn together has been helpful.

The league has come a long way.

“Now we have multiple football teams and cheerleading teams, so it’s a real family affair,” he said.

The league opens its season with games for all levels in Middleton on Aug. 28.