Before 2006, the tri-town had no organized football program for kids outside of the high school.

No Pop Warner League. No pads. No helmets.

Since then, Old Rochester Youth Football and Cheerleading formed. The program offers varying levels of play for kids between 5 and 15 years old.

Last year, the league brought home its first championship. The Junior Pee Wee team won the Rhode Island Southeastern Massachusetts Football and Spirit Conference. The team, coached by Dayne Johnson, went on to face a tough Bedford, N.H. team, but lost in a close game.

Practices started last week for all teams. The program will accept late sign-ups.

Now in its seventh year, the association is growing.

“We’re definitely maturing as a program. We are the smallest association in the league, but we also have enough kids to support all eight levels of play,” Tom Flynn said.

Flynn, the association’s president, said community and high school football staff support has been essential.

“That really makes a huge different for our program,” he said.

The youth group has about 140 kids playing now. The cheerleading squad hosts about 60 kids. Though that number is increasing, Flynn said.

With players training for football younger the high school team benefits, Marissa Johnson said.

“I think it’s a great thing when the kids move up from our program. Before when many of the kids joined the high school team, as freshmen, it was the first time they put on a helmet when they stepped onto the field,” Marissa, the program's treasurer, said.

Between Marissa and Dayne, who are married, the Mattapoisett couple has four children in the program. Their two sons play football. Their two daughters cheer.

For Marissa, the program brings children from across the tri-town together.

“In the past, the kids didn’t know each other before junior high. This really gets them accustomed to each other and many become friends before school starts,” she said.

In August, teams practice four to five times a week. Ten hours of conditioning are required before players practice in full pads. Once school starts, practices are held three times a week.

Marissa explained that all players are required to maintain a pre-set grade point average in order to play. Also, the players are placed on teams based on their weight, which is meant to reduce injuries.

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

For more information on the youth league or to sign up, visit www.oryf.com.