Ashland YMCA opens flag football season with its own combine

ASHLAND — Jered Kingsborough’s children grew up with a love of football, he said.

Kingsborough played back then and said he was a linebacker. His children have been involved in it their whole lives, and this year his 7-year-old son is playing flag football for the first time in the YMCA's league.

On Saturday afternoon, Kingsborough and his son – along with 349 other children who had signed up for the Y’s flag football program – were invited to the first-ever Combine.

Christian Langston, YMCA sports and fitness director, said this year's participation of 350 children was a record.

At the Combine on Saturday, the first one hosted by the YMCA, the children were able to demonstrate their skills. Twelve stations were set up throughout the Community Stadium.

With some help from the Ashland High School football team, the flag football players had the opportunity to run, pass, work on their agility and strength, jumping ability and much more.

Kingsborough said he enjoyed watching his son do a flag-pulling drill, adding that he was impressed by how many push-ups his son could do.

“It's reassuring that he's enjoying it,” Kingsborough said. “I hope he learns the fundamentals of the game and a bit about teamwork.”

After the afternoon combine, all of the kids also participated in a “meet the team draft night.” Langston said the kids got to dress up, take photos and announce their teams to friends and family.

The circle closes

The meeting not only provided the YMCA with an opportunity to kick off its flag football season, but also provided several Ashland High football players with the opportunity to volunteer.

Langston, a former Ashland High School football player, said it was easy to get current players to join in. He said he asked coach Scott Valentine if any players were interested and they stepped forward to help.

Many said that their participation in the event felt like a full-circle moment.

Cooper Smith, a senior at Ashland High who plays on the defensive line, said Valentine put the possibility of participating on the table. Smith said he thought it would be a good opportunity to spread some joy.

“It's pretty cool to think that we were once there and looked up to those guys,” Smith said. “It felt unattainable.”

Smith's teammates Killian O'Brien and Jeff Hickey agreed.

O'Brien and Hickey, both sophomores and receivers for the Arrows, said they began their football careers playing flag football. On Saturday, they ran a receiver drill for the YMCA players at the combine.

Hickey said he volunteered because “it's just fun.”

Hickey said he enjoyed watching the younger players succeed throughout the day, while O'Brien recalled watching the high school football team play as a kid.

“The Ashland High program has always been good and it needs to stay that way,” O'Brien said. “If the next generation stays good, that tradition will continue.”

Improve things

Valentine agreed with his players. He said Langston's work with the YMCA's flag football program is making football better in the community.

Kingsborough, whose son will play his first season of flag football this year, agreed.

He said his children have participated in YMCA sporting events before. As a father, he feels the programs are well organized. In Kingsborough's experience, his children have felt welcome at YMCA sporting events.

“It’s nice to see that the YMCA is inclusive of all children,” Kingsborough said.

Below are photos of the combine on Saturday afternoon.

This independent, local reporting by our Report for America Corps members is brought to you in part by the generous support of the Ashland County Community Foundation.