**LAST UPDATED 3/02/2026**
When does the season start and end?
Practices for Mini-Pony, Pony, JV, and Varsity will start the week of August 3, 2026, while Flag will start the week of August 10, 2026. Our first game will be over the weekend of August 30, 2026. There are 9 games in the regular season. Division 1 teams that make the playoffs will start the playoffs in week 10 unless they have a bye. Our MP D1 team will have a bowl series (or graduating) game in week 10.
What does it cost to play football?
The cost for tackle football is $250. The cost for flag football is $125. LOUYAA requires a $25 annual membership fee per family. If you have already played a spring/summer sport, then you will not be charged this fee. Other costs include a $10 field fee.
Does each child get a minimum amount of play per game?
The Mountain Valley Youth Football League (MVYFL) does not have a minimum play rule. However, after playing in a league that had one, we felt it was essential to our community and our players to continue to have a minimum play policy. Please click HERE for details.
Are we required to purchase practice jerseys and practice pants?
Each parent is required to outfit their child with practice pants. You can purchase practice pants from stores like Dicks Sporting Goods. There is also a Facebook group where you can buy, sell, or trade equipment you may want to research.
What equipment and clothing are provided when signing up?
TACKLE ONLY: LYF will provide you with game jerseys, game pants, shoulder pads, a helmet, knee pads, and a chin strap (optional). You will be responsible for providing cleats, socks, a 5-pad gridle, a protective cup, a mouthpiece (which must be colored and attached to the facemask), practice pants, and a practice jersey.
FLAG ONLY: LYF will provide you with a jersey, socks, and flags. You will be responsible for providing cleats, shorts, and a mouthpiece.
Can you personalize your jersey?
No. Our Varsity team will receive a free black jersey as a parting gift from LYF.
What fundraisers are done for football?
Our biggest fundraisers are Punt, Pass, and Kick and our Annual Golf Tournament. We will also add other (optional) small fundraisers throughout the year, such as poker and cornhole tournaments. Fundraising throughout the year is important to keep registration costs low and invest in our program for years to come.
What teams do we play?
We play the following teams: Boonsboro, Brunswick, Catoctin, Frederick, Gamber, Middletown, Mt. Airy, Oakdale, Quincy, Smithsburg, Spring Mills, South Hagerstown, Tuscarora, Urbana, Walkersville. Here is a visual:
What type of identification do I need for my child?
There are many types of IDs you can use. We recommend a Maryland ID card obtained through the Maryland Vehicle Administration (MVA). It is very important to have the proper documentation when obtaining your MVA ID. MVA ID cards are valid for 5 years and will be good for multiple seasons. For more information, please visit the MVA page HERE. Other acceptable IDs include valid birth certificates, school board records, baptism certificates, and green cards.
When are practices?
Practices for Mini-Pony, Pony, JV, and Varsity will start the week of August 03, 2026, while Flag will start the week of August 10, 2026. Once practices begin, we will practice up to 5 days a week for Pony, JV, and Varsity, and 3 days a week for Mini Pony and Flag. The practice locations will be the New Market Middle School (NMMS) and New Market Elementary School (NMES). Practice duration will be up to 2 hours. There will be scrimmages scheduled for some Saturdays. Once school begins, our standard practice days will be Tuesdays and Thursdays. Coaches will be allowed to practice on a third day, on Monday. There will be no practices on Friday so that our players can go support the Linganore High School varsity football team. The only exception to Wednesday or Friday practices will be if a makeup practice is needed due to a cancellation during the week (e.g., a Tuesday practice canceled due to weather).
When are games played?
Game locations are scheduled based on the home team’s field availability. Games can be on Fridays after 5:00 PM, Saturdays, or Sundays. All teams (except the Flag team) will play together on the same field. This means that Division 1 and Division 2 teams will play at the same location. The only exception to this is when we play a program that does not have enough players to field Division 2 teams. In this situation, all Division 2 teams will still play against each other’s Division 2 teams at the same location.
Do we play at LHS?
Yes, Linganore High School (LHS) is our home field, and New Market Middle School (NMMS) is our backup field.
Where is our home field?
Our home fields are Linganore High School (LHS) and New Market Middle School (NMMS). Their addresses are as follows:
12013 Old Annapolis Rd
Frederick, MD
21701
125 West Main Street
New Market, Maryland
21774
How many games are played each season?
There are 9 regular-season games. For those Division 1 teams making the playoffs, the playoffs will start in week 10 unless the team receives a bye. The Mini Pony D1 team will play a bowl series game in Week 10.
How many coaches and team moms are on each team?
There is no maximum number of coaches/team moms for a team. Head Coaches are responsible for the placement of assistant coaches. The Team Mom Coordinator will work with the Head Coach to place at least one team mom per team. If you are interested in being a Head Coach or filling one of the staff positions, please see our OPEN positions for more information. If you would rather serve as an assistant coach or volunteer in another capacity, please contact us at linganorefootball@luyaa.org or reach out directly to the head coach.
Are parents expected to volunteer during the season?
Yes, parents are expected to volunteer throughout the season. During the practice weeks, we will need help at our concession and apparel trailers. During home games, we will need help with chain gangs, concessions, and apparel. Volunteering is required to help our organization run.
Are there weight limits?
Yes, the Mountain Valley Youth Football League (MVYFL) has defined weight limits by age. Please click HERE for more information.
How do I determine which level is best for my child?
The Mountain Valley Youth Football League (MVYFL) has 5 age groups (Flag, Mini-Pony, Pony, JV, and Varsity). There are Division 1 and Division 2 teams at the Mini-Pony, JV, and Varsity levels. Additional weight restrictions apply to the following age groups; therefore, the table below is an example without these restrictions. Please click HERE to find the MVYFL weight chart. These age groups are as follows:
|
Group |
Age* |
Grade (Typically) |
|---|---|---|
|
Flag |
5 and 6 |
Kindergarten and 1st |
|
Mini-Pony D2 |
7 |
2nd |
| Mini-Pony D1 | 8 | 3rd |
|
Pony D2 |
9 |
4th |
| Pony D1 | 10 | 5th |
|
JV D2 |
11 |
6th |
| JV D1 | 12 | 7th |
|
Varsity |
13 and 14 |
8th |
* Age is determined using a 9/1 date of the current year. For example, if a player turns 10 on September 2, they are classified as a 9-year-old.
How are evaluations conducted?
We will not be conducting evaluations to split Division 1 and Division 2 teams. After reviewing the past season, the LYF management team has voted to divide teams strictly by age, with very limited exceptions. There will be team evaluations to determine player positions.
We have a process in place should there be a scenario where we do not have enough of one age group to fill a place, and we will visit that process on a case-by-case basis.
* The MVYFL requires our program to fill a D1 team before a D2 team. Therefore, if we do not have enough players on the D1 team, the LYF will need to determine ways to ensure the D1 team has sufficient players.
Can you define the different levels, specifically Division 1 vs. Division 2?
The Mountain Valley Youth Football League (MVYFL) has two divisions for Mini-Pony, Pony, and JV. Division 1 is the most competitive division, with standings and playoffs. Division 2 is more instructional. Even though full games are played at the Pony and JV levels (with a winner and a loser) for Division 2, there are no standings and no playoffs.
Which program should I enroll in?
If your child will eventually attend Linganore High School (LHS), you will need to sign up to be a Linganore Lancer. If your child attends New Market Middle, Liberty Elementary, New Market Elementary, Windsor Knolls Middle (portion), Twin Ridge Elementary, or Green Valley Elementary (portion), you are a Lancer. Please visit the Frederick County Public School (FCPS) High School districting map HERE. You can also visit the FCPS website HERE for more information.
Are there team pictures?
Yes. Check our main page for important dates regarding our picture day.
Am I required to stay at practice with my child?
For the younger age groups, we kindly request that you stay at the practice location in case your child needs you (e.g., a bathroom break). For all age groups, we ask that, even if parents are present at the practice, players be allowed to have water bottles centrally located so they can take water breaks together, rather than with their parents. We aim to foster a team environment by working together. We want to request less parent-child interaction during practice, but we also want parents to be available should their child need them.
What should I expect from my coach? What should I do if I have an issue with my coach?
Each Head Coach will send an introductory email outlining what parents can expect from their Head Coach, what Head Coaches can expect from parents, and other pertinent details.
What if I need to report other team issues?
If you have a non-coaching-related issue, please discuss it with your team mom. If the resolution is not satisfactory, you can bring the issue to the Team Mom Coordinator. If the resolution is not satisfactory, you can bring the issue to the Area Director and then to the Commissioner. Here is a link to our Management Team.
Is Linganore Youth Football a Competitive or Recreational program?
Both. If you wanted to compare our football program to a competitive/recreational program like baseball or soccer, we consider our Pony D2, Mini-Pony D1, Mini-Pony D2, and Flag teams recreational, while our Varsity, JV D1, JV D2, and Pony D1 teams are considered competitive.
