- April 25, 2024
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Ormond Beach PRIDE and Cheer will take five teams — and cheerleaders — to an Aug. 17 jamboree, in Ocala.
BY ANDREW O'BRIEN | SPORTS EDITOR
Teandre Hawkins took the handoff Monday and juked past a would-be tackler. After showing some nifty footwork, he used his brute strength to power past the next few defenders. No match. Luckily for the defense, though, it was just practice, and they were his teammates.
Hawkins, more commonly known as Meatball, was rocking a San Diego Chargers Ladainian Tomlinson jersey, but he was more power than swiftness. Whatever works for his Ormond Beach PRIDE team, which was in its fourth week of practice Tuesday, at Calvary Christian Academy.
Hawkins’ team and four other Pride teams are preparing for an Aug. 17 jamboree, in Ocala.
Brian Colubiale, director and coach for Ormond Beach PRIDE, said the jamboree is more like a preseason weekend to help the teams get ready for the regular season, which begins the following Saturday (Aug. 24).
The PRIDE, entering its third season in the American Youth Football league, has enjoyed quite a bit of success in its first two years.
The organization has five teams, from kindergarten to eighth grade.
In the first year, the eighth-grade varsity team made it all the way to the southeast regionals, where it eventually finished third. Last year, the eighth-grade varsity team won the region and finished fourth in the United States.
A majority of the PRIDE players moved on to play football mostly at Seabreeze, Mainland and Spruce Creek. Currently, former PRIDE players are in grades 9 and 10.
There are about 130 kids playing in the football program and about 25 cheerleaders, which is about double the size compared to when PRIDE began two years ago.
“We’re about maxed out,” Colubiale said. “We have waiting lists on most of the levels right now.”
Having a successful youth program is also beneficial for the high schools, Colubiale said.
“It definitely is a big feeder into the high school programs,” he said. All the big kids, who never had a chance in the weight-limited leagues, now have an opportunity to play football before they get into high school. Now they’re getting some big kids with experience.”
Or, in Hawkins’ case, big kids are already playing with experience. Even if they are in third grade.
To register (or get on the waiting list), visit ormondbeachpride.com, or email [email protected].
