Another exciting youth football season is just around the corner and the Tahquamenon Area Youth Football Association expects to have another great year.
Local league organizers have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming season, which will again feature multiple levels for the future football stars.
Students from Engadine and Three Lakes Academy can participate at the junior high level; the Eagles may not be able to field their own junior squad.
The local youth board will feature new leadership for the first time in several seasons, as local residents Lincoln and Jamie Maier have been named the new president and vice president, respectively, taking the duties over from former youth coaches Zach Clickner and Dan Hardenbrook, who now coach the Indians high school teams.
While Clickner will continue to consult the group as the varsity program head, Hardenbrook and several other longtime board members will remain in place to help shape the future opportunities and grow interest in the sport. Another familiar face is Rudy Mendoza, who has spent several seasons working with programs and athletes at all levels.
Mendoza, the Newberry Varsity Defensive Coordinator, remains as board treasurer, with Hardenbrook as its secretary. Other board members include Bruce Dake, Derek Dake, and Mike Huffman.
Maier will be the head coach for this year’s Junior Indians Football team, which consists of the 7th and 8th Grade levels and also gives families of 6th grade students the opportunity to opt up and try tackle football.
Maier has led the middle school team for the past two seasons, and brings passion, energy, and discipline to his coaching lessons. He was previously assisted by Louie Linck, but Linck has other commitments now and the Junior High squad needs a volunteer assistant to join the coaching staff.
The Junior Indians program will welcome their neighbors from Engadine in Curtis to join them this season. Engadine and Three Lakes Academy have a full co-op for middle school sports, but with no program being offered the football kids in those communities will still have a chance to take the field for the 2026 season.
However, the roster spots may be limited due to league rules. Registration cut off for tackle football in grades 6-8 will be July 31st.
Newberry is the host site of this year’s EUP league scrimmage. The Junior High Scrimmage will take place Saturday September 12. It will bring teams from Manistique, Rudyard, Brimley, Pickford, St. Ignace, and Cedarville-DeTour for a series of matchups to prepare for the season. During the season, games will be held on Saturdays through October.
Newberry will also play a non-league game against Munising in year two of the Jr High Battle for the Hatchet rivalry, which started last season as a youth version to the longtime Axe game series played between the high school varsity teams.
Registration as well as info on flag football will be released soon.
The local association needs coaches and volunteers for the upcoming season. For more information contact Tahquamenon Area Youth Football President Lincoln Maier at 906-440-3281.
