The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG – Youth football in the Dayton-Waitsburg area used to consist of separate teams for each town. That changed last year, when the two towns decided to combine.

This year, both of the teams from Dayton/Waitsburg will be known as the “Dayburg Seahawks,” according to General Manager Steve Martin.

“The team is full contact and open to both girls and boys,” said Martin. The team plays in the Walla Walla Youth Football League. The Seahawks will be one of six “varsity” (5th and 6th grade) teams, and one of five “junior varsity” (3rd and 4th grade) teams.

Two local teams will be fielded: third and fourth graders and fifth and sixth graders. Last year, one team held the Dayton Bulldog name, while the other played under the Waitsburg Giants title.

Martin is working with Jeff Bartlow, who was the former head coach of the Waitsburg High School football team that won state in 2011. Troy Larsen, the current Dayton-Waitsburg Head Coach is also helping Martin set up teams this year.

As for the coaching staff for the youth team, “Coaches have not yet been named, but several people are having discussions. Each team will have a head coach and an assistant coach,” said Martin. The team is going to run the same offense and defense as the high school team, and try to be ran like the high school team in order to prepare the kids for the next level.

Parents are encouraged to sign their kids up by Friday, Aug. 12, to guarantee that they can start participating right away. This is due to the equipment order being sent on Aug. 13.

A player/parent/coaches meeting will be held at the Waitsburg football field at 7 p.m. on Aug. 16. The next day is the first practice at 5:30 p.m. in Waitsburg.

Practices will be held every weekday until school starts, after which practices will be held three days a week. Transportation will be provided to Dayton players, as practices will be held in Waitsburg.

Games are played every Saturday at Martin Stadium in Walla Walla though mid-October, which is when the playoffs start.

The league fee is $125 per player. Elk Drug is sponsoring the team, with owner Sean Thurston providing the financial support necessary to purchase new game jerseys for the upcoming season.

The Dayburg Seahawks have a Facebook page where additional information is available. Parents may contact Steve Martin for more information at 509-386-4748.