Irvington Golden Knights football program preparing for upcoming season; seeks more players

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IRVINGTON – The Irvington Golden Knights football program has seen a strong turnout this summer, and is looking to add a few more youngsters.

The players have been training each day at Orange Park, Monday through Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. in preparation of the upcoming season.

Competing in the Newark Pop Warner League, the program is offered to ages 5-14, divided into six levels: Flag, Mitey Mites, Junior Pee Wees, Pee Wees, Junior Varsity and Unlimited.

The Pee Wee and Unlimited levels have been added this year, said Golden Knights president Kyle Steele, who also is a coach in the program as well as an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach at Irvington High School for the past several years.

“We want to help as many kids as possible,” said Steele about adding the two levels.

The Newark Pop Warner Opening Day Parade is Aug. 20 and the season begins the following weekend.

So far, more than 200 youngsters – players and cheerleaders – have signed up for the program, which still is accepting registration. Last season in the Newark Pop Warner League, the Junior Pee Wees (ages 10-11) won  the title, while the Junior Varsity (12-13) was runner-up.

Led by Steele, the program features coaches and mentors who want to help develop and inspire youngsters. Steele’s brother, “Doc” Steele, also coaches in the program, while new IHS head football coach Ashley Pierre provides assistance, said Kyle Steele.

“We have great guys working with the kids,” said Kyle Steele.

The program’s goal for the players is to “develop the kids to get to the next level so that they can go to college,” Kyle Steele said.

Anyone wishing to sign up for the program can do so by showing up at a practice this summer, said Steele.