The Raiders' center cries, as his teammates bunch together to set up another play. First and 10. Raiders, do it again. Welcome to the land of the tiny gridiron, better known as the Fauquier Youth Football. Meeting at Grace Miller Elementary School in Bealeton, the league fields 12 games every Saturday morning, from late August through October.
Cars pack the school's parking lot and overflow onto the grass.
Hundreds of parents and relatives tow folding chairs, diaper bags and cameras to the games and cheer proudly for their little tikes, regardless of the outcome. In its 15th season, Fauquier Youth Football boasts an all-time high 844 participants on the 26 teams and their cheerleading squads. The league started with just six teams in 1985. This is the best year we've had. The games on Saturdays represent the fruit of the hard work of FYF board members, coaches and players.