The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – For years now, elementary-age kids who wanted to play tackle football had to join a Walla Walla or Milton-Freewater team to compete in the Walla Walla Youth Football League (WWYFL). But Bryce Scott, who has fond memories of playing with the Waitsburg Giants when he was in 3rd and 4th grades, has decided to coach a Waitsburg-based team that will bring youth football back to the area.

Scott, who currently lives with his grandparents, Jerry and Karla Scott, in Waitsburg, lived in Dixie when he played for the Waitsburg Giants in grade school. He attended high school at DeSales and says he was only able to play one season of football due to an ACL tear that he never fully recovered from.

Scott graduated high school in 2013 and is attending Walla Walla Community College with plans to transfer to Spokane or Auburn, Wash. to study physical therapy.

He is spending this summer working as a counselor at Dayton's Summer Recreation program, which is what ultimately led to the decision to coach a youth football team.

Scott said a co-worker's son, who attends school in Waitsburg, wanted to play youth football, which sparked the idea of starting a team for Dayton and Waitsburg kids. Scott has been working with WWYFL Vice President Clay Lindsey (who is also head coach for the "Tommy's 9th Street Auto" Chiefs) to work out the logistics.

"I've found that I really enjoy working with kids, and with pursuing a career in physical therapy, I want to get more in the mindset of working with people. Kids are a big part of that," said Scott.

Scott will coach two Waitsburg-based teams – one for 3rd/4th graders and another for 5th/6th graders. He said both teams will probably practice together. League practices begin in late August and games run through October.

WWYFL teams for 2014 included the "Columbia REA" Razorbacks, "Tietan Dental" Huskies, "NAPA" Cougars, "Bennett's Locksmith" Cowboys, "Community Bank" Razorbacks, "Tommy's 9th St. Auto" Chiefs, "Pioneer Title" Huskies, "Milton-Freewater" Pioneers and "The Elks" Cougars.

Scott says the initial response from parents and kids, both from Dayton and Waitsburg, has been enthusiastic. James Tolman has agreed to serve as assistant coach, and Scott says a couple of parents have also expressed interest in lending a hand with coaching duties.

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Scott says the top priorities are gaining an accurate head count, setting up a parent's meeting, obtaining a team sponsor, and getting started on fundraising for jerseys and equipment.

Scott says he is looking forward to what he anticipates will be a positive experience. "I think playing football really helps kids with development. I know playing Giants football really helped me. Not just with football, but with things like listening to authority, too," said Scott.

Parents with kids interested in joining the team should text or call Scott, after 5 p.m., at (509) 540-1459 to be included in fundraising and meetings. Parents may register their players at http://wwyfl.weebly.com