Creston forming amateur football team
Oct. 17—Creston High School won't be the only entity with an organized football team in town.
The Southern Iowa Aztecs will take the field in March.
"It got started with some semi-pro stuff last year," said team organizer Cody Robb. "Some Creston guys met with a team in Leon and played a couple of games last year. They liked the idea for guys just out of high school playing ball again." Robb is being assisted with organization by Andrew Mills.
Robb said The Central Plains Football League includes 22 teams covering six states, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The other teams in Iowa are in Ottumwa and Sioux City.
The difference with Central Plains and what area fans see at Creston High games is the Central Plains will play 8-man football. Robb said the Central Plains will be similar to the Iowa Barnstormers in Des Moines in the Indoor Football League.
"It will look like the indoor football game, but it's outside," Robb said. The field is 50-yards long and 85-feet wide and have 8-yard endzones.
"It will have the same rules as the Barnstormers games."
Robb is wanting interested players.
"We are looking for 35 players per team," he said. "By week five, we need to 35 players maximum." He has already heard from two dozen who are interested.
Robb said all players must be at least 18 and there are no restrictions using existing college players.
"Doesn't matter what age, if you have the heart and love for the game," Robb said.
Player try-outs in Creston are expected to be held in November or early February. Team practices will be held once a week understanding players may have traditional jobs. Coaches will be Mike Wik, Nic Kirk, Robb and Mills. Players pay for their own uniforms, which are expected to be about $110, in addition to the helmet.
Robb said organizers are still discussing where to play in Creston. Each team is responsible for building the field's goal posts which are nine feet wide with a crossbar height of 15 feet. Referees for the games will be paid for by the teams and be certified.
The season is scheduled to begin March 18 and play weekly on Sunday afternoons through May 20. After the regular season a 21-team elimination bracket playoff will lead up to the league championship game. The league will have two conferences, the American and National. Within each conference will be two two divisions. CPFL American North and West, CPFL National South and East. The league schedule will be part of the league meeting scheduled Nov. 19 in Kansas City, Missouri.
"The plan is to charge fans to watch," he said about game tickets. "We still need to see how much it is going to be" One proposal is $3 for those 13-18 and $5 for those over 18. People 12 and younger will not pay.
For those who are not familiar with indoor football rules, but understand traditional football, the following explains some the fundamental of the game.
Four offensive players must line up on the line of scrimmage.
Three defensive players must be down linemen (in a three of four-point stance). One linebacker may blitz on either side of the center.
Defensive linemen must line up no wider than shoulder to shoulder ("shading") on the offensive lineman in front of them. In scrimmage kick formation, the defensive linemen must align head-up on the offensive lineman, with no shading. The defensive lineman may not stunt or twist, except when in scrimmage kick formation.
Offensive motion, two receivers may go in forward motion before the snap. Three players in motion is a false start. Touchdowns are still six points, like in traditional football, and there are options for points-after-attempts.
The game will have four, 15-minute quarters.
For more information, contact Robb at 641-202-6012.
