Mission: We are dedicated to promoting youth football by creating a competitive and exciting atmosphere. We desire to instill a love and understanding of the game through the four core principles of sportsmanship, integrity, teamwork and attitude.
Purpose: The PDFL aims to give 4th, 5th and 6th grade students attending the Benton School District or home schooled within district boundaries the opportunity to participate in an organized and competitive league that acts as a feeder program into the District’s Jr. High and High School football programs. ALL participants will learn the fundamentals of the offensive and defensive systems used in the School’s current football program.
The PDFL Difference: We recognize that one of the fundamental flaws in youth football is the “draft” team which tends to create an imbalance of talent on one or two teams. This system is a disservice to all student athletes and results in greater chance for injury, reduced participation and lack of productive competition. All athletes who participate in the PDFL will perform position and team drills as a single unit before fair and equitable teams are established under the oversight of the coaches and league leadership. Athletes will be encouraged to work out at multiple positions during the evaluation period so coaches and evaluators can project where an athlete may play in the future. The goal is to develop multiple viable players at each position and provide a full season of work at a position best suited for each player. After several weeks of evaluation, athletes will be divided by position and ability level. The number of squads will be determined by the total number of athletes participating. Each squad will be matched with competition to ensure challenging yet competitive games.