Fall is in the Air

By Chris Laclair
EAGLE TIMES
SPORTS EDITOR
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Claremont Mini Cardinals are back on the gridiron in preparation for the fall season.

This season, “the 32 registered players signed up is an increase over the prior season, which eliminates the need to swing several players between the fourth-, fifth-grade and fifth-, sixth-grade teams,” said Claremont’s Superintendent of Recreation Programs Justin Martin.

After being involved as an assistant coach for six seasons, Will Russo is taking over the helm as the head coach of both age groups.

“I want to rebuild the program to what it was when I started, which included retention of players as well as realigning all programs from flag to varsity high school, with the support of the other levels of football coaching staffs,” Russo said.

Another familiar face on the sidelines is Scott Christian. Christian is returning to coach the fourth- and fifth-grade team as the offensive coordinator. He was a coach with the Mini Cardinals for five years, before taking a six-year hiatus.

“I came back as my son Hunter started coaching last year, as well as the fact that my fourth-grade daughter Sophia decided to play tackle football this year,” Christian said.

“The Mini Cardinals program has impacted my son in such a positive way that I have watched grow from a boy into a young man,” said Bryce Whitney, who is the parent of running back and cornerback/safety Benjamin Whitney.

The Mini Cardinals will display what they are learning in early season practices, when they attend the preseason jamboree in Newport on Aug. 26. The season opener for both age groups is at home on Sept. 9 at Barnes Park in Claremont.