POSTED: Tuesday, October 14, 2008/JACH News Service

     LAFAYETTE -- The Titans and the Falcons, two of the top teams in the Lafayette 56ers youth football league, took to the field last Sunday as both teams and parents watched their kids learn teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship.
     This Sunday will be the championship games held at Lafayette Jeff's Scheumann Stadium and for more than 300 youth football players and cheerleaders, the Lafayette 56ers program has been a great experience.
     "The program has gone on since 1974 and we've had a great season," said president John Robinson last Sunday as he oversaw the last week of regular season games. " Our goal is to teach kids the basics of football and what it’s like to be on a team, teamwork and sportsmanship."
    Robinson said the football games are not only fun for the players, cheerleaders and parents, but a constant learning experience. Another big plus is playing at Lafayette Jeff, one of the best high school football facilities in Indiana.
    "The kids get a real kick out of playing on the same field that the Jeff Bronchos do," Robinson said.
    Players are divided into a third and fourth grade division and a fifth and sixth grade division.
    "We have 300 kids and a total of 16 teams," Robinson said. "Sunday is our Super Bowl, starting at 9:30 in the morning with the last game at 6:15 in the evening. So if anyone likes youth football, they should come out because we'll have games the whole day long."
    Along with Robinson, vice president is Jim Aldridge, Julie Rishel is secretary and Dawn Linder is treasurer. Other members of the Lafayette 56ers board are Ben Farrar, Dan Garvey, James Kaufman, Rob Linder, Chad Marshall, Doug Newhart, Allen Rishel, Brandi Robinson, Dru Robinson, John Robinson III, Chris Willis, Angie Woods and Tommy Woods.
    Jim Knipp Photography (http://www. knippixel.com) takes action shots of the games for the players and their parents, families and friends.