(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Football fever can’t be far away with registration opening for teams and cheerleading squads with the Madison Comets.

Madison American Youth Football (AYF) coordinates the Comets’ program. These sports are affiliated with the North Alabama AYF Inc. and feature opportunities in various age categories beginning with the Tiny Mites. North Alabama AYF’s provides organized, adult-supervised, healthy football and cheerleading programs.

Five- to 12-year-old boys and girls who are Madison residents are eligible.

To register online, visit madisonayf.org.

On-site registrations will be held April 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at Hogan Family YMCA, 130 Park Square Lane in Madison. This date coincides with the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. “The YMCA is allowing the football organization to have a registration because the YMCA doesn’t have a football program to offer our citizens,” recreation program director Kelly Johnson said.

Other on-site registration will be conducted at Dublin Park, 8324 Old Madison Pike on April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; May 4, noon to 4 p.m.; June 13, 4:30 to 8 p.m.; and June 27, 4:30 to 8 p.m.

“Home games will be held at Palmer Park on Saturdays. Practice usually starts in July with the first game in mid- to late August,” Johnson said.

Players’ maximum weights and ages, as of July 31, must be Tiny Mites, 7 and under, 90 + 5 = 95 pounds; Mighty Mites, 9 and under, 105 + 5 = 110; Junior Pee Wee, 10 and under (11 O/L), 119 + 5 = 124 and 99 + 5 = 104; Pee Wee, 11 and under (12 O/L), 134 + 5 = 139 and 114 + 5 = 119. (Weights represent ‘maximum stripped weight’ plus ‘uniform allowance’ to equal ‘maximum dressed weight.’)

AYF cheer divisions include Division 8, 5-8 years; Division 10, 8-10 years; Division 12, 10-12 years; Division 13, 11-13 years; and Division 15, 13-15 years.

For more information, visit madisonayf.org or naayf.org.