Schools
New Feeder Program Aims to Boost EWHS Football
The Edmonds Warriors, for kids 7-14, has an informational meeting this Sunday. Players will be part of the Northwest Junior Football League.
A new junior-league football program sponsored by may take a few years to generate results, but the hope is that it will transform EW into a 4A powerhouse for a long time.
The slogan for Edmonds Warriors Junior Football program makes this point succinctly: “Building future Warriors today.”
was held in February, sign-ups have been ongoing, and the first spring football camp was earlier this month. Two more informational meetings will be held: Sunday and May 22, both from 7 to 7:30 p.m. in the EW weight room. EW head football coach John Gradwohl will be on hand to answer questions.
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The president of Edmonds Warriors is Mike Cuzzetto, and vice-president is Chris Gradwohl. Yes, he’s Coach John Gradwohl’s brother. Chris Gradwohl, who works at Microsoft, has plenty of experience coaching football as well, with Richmond Bulldogs, a junior football program serving Shoreline.
“We started the Edmonds program to help my brother and Edmonds-Woodway,” said Chris Gradwohl, who lives in Edmonds. “He's the one who came up with the idea.”
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Although a feeder program, Gradwohl stresses that the Edmonds Warriors program is not a “select” league. It’s open to all players, regardless of skill, and all there is a minimum time that all kids must play in a game. Teams are organized by age and weight with five levels of play for boys ages 7-14.
Unlike select teams in other sports, such as basketball and soccer, which can hold practices year-round, the Edmonds Warriors season will have a set time frame. Practice begins Aug. 1 and league play continues through championships in early November.
The Warriors are the newest member of the Northwest Junior Football League, which in addition to Shoreline has teams in Ballard, Cedar Park, Lake City, Burien, Mukilteo, Silver Lake, Sammamish and Seattle.
“Our goal is to increase participation and experience for kids in Edmonds,” said Gradwohl. “These kids will develop relationships, learn the system and get quality coaching.”
Of course, making EW a powerhouse is also in the plans.
“Some of the kids on the high-school’s freshman football team are playing for the first time,” said Gradwohl. “If you increase the number of kids, and increase their experience, it’s going to help. We want to take it to the next level.”
Registered kids will receive a free T-shirt and pair of shorts. Fees range from $90 to $190 depending on age and level of play. For more information visit the junior football program website, or e-mail info@edmondswarriors.com.