Sikeston Jaycee Little League Football has successful return

SIKESTON — It is no secret that 2020 was a rough year for everyone, especially athletes. The COVID-19 pandemic forced athletes of all ages and skill levels to put their progression in sports on hold. In Sikeston, the Sikeston Jaycee’s Little League Football sSeason felt the pain as well. A rich program, with more than 40 years of hosting youth football, felt it was best to follow in everyone else’s footsteps and cancel its 2020 season.

With most of the world going back to normal in 2021, the Sikeston Jaycee’s Youth Football decided it was time to light up Frank Ferrell Field again and attempt to rejuvenate the program. The first step was electing a new commissioner, Terry Burton.

Burton, a current Sikeston Jaycee and Sikeston High School alumni, said he was nervous about his first year as commissioner. The participation was the biggest unknown, however, he was excited to learn that every team was quickly filled with more than enough players to fill each roster.

Sikeston head football coach Treston Pulley watches the Sikeston Jaycee Little League Football action Tuesday night.Ryan Mitchell photo

Sikeston head football coach Treston Pulley watches the Sikeston Jaycee Little League Football action Tuesday night.Ryan Mitchell photo

The Sikeston Jaycee Football League has four teams: Bears (black), Packers (green), Chiefs (red) and the Rams (blue) consisted of fifth and sixth graders from the Sikeston area.

“The football league is just another way the Sikeston Jaycee’s can give back to our community and our kids.The Sikeston Jaycee’s fully fund the program through donations; any profits made go directly back into the program,” said Burton.

Packers head coach and Sikeston Jaycee Clay Driskell said for him, its all about giving back to the kids of our community.

“I grew up in Sikeston, I played in this league, and then I played high school football for Sikeston,” Driskell said. “I think the league lays the foundation for football in these kids at a young age, helping them better prepare for the next level. It also gives kids of all backgrounds the opportunity to come together on the field and rely on each other.”

Also on the sidelines was the presence of Sikeston High School football players, as well as Sikeston head coach Treston Pulley. Burton emphasized that Pulley and his team have played a huge role in the league’s success.

“Treston (Coach Pulley), has become very involved,” Burton said. “He was here at signups and has helped to teach our kids the fundamentals of the game. At the beginning of the season, Coach Pulley brought the high school team out to show our players the correct way to tackle and conduct practices.”

Driskell added that having the current high school players at the games has been great.

“The younger kids look up to them more than they do the coaches and adults,” Burton said. “It really sets a good example for these young athletes about the importance of giving back to the community.”

Pulley is a fan of the league.

“I think it’s important to be out here to lay my foundation for the future of Sikeston football,” Pulley said.

When asked how important he felt it was to get involved at a young age, Pulley responded that they are now starting the kids in kindergarten with flag football in a league that Pulley pioneered in Sikeston “Lincoln League NFL Flag Football.”

“We want to introduce them at a young age, we want football to be Important and fun,” Pulley said. “If we can get them excited about football at a young age and make sure it is important to them, we can build Sikeston into a powerhouse for our area.”

Sikeston has a long history of winning football tradition and Pulley wants to bring that pride back to our city, but also, he wants his athletes to learn the importance the game has on their lives.

“Starting at this level (Jaycee football league), football is already teaching these kids the importance of being timely, being accountable, being part of a team, dealing with adversity, and a lot of other tools you need to be successful in life,” Pulley said. “This is the future, not just for football, but for the community; it is important.”

The Chiefs were crowned the 2021 Champions, going undefeated on the season.

Signups for Sikeston’s Lincoln League NFL Flag Football will begin in March for Kindergarten through sixth grade.