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Adult Football League Offers Second Chance

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BY ERIC HORCHY The Suncoast News

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 2, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - When the final whistle blows on a prep football player's career, it often signals the end of his gridiron glory days.

Full-contact football isn't nearly as conducive to adult-league play as sports like baseball, softball or basketball.
John Kary wants to give these former Friday night football stars another shot.

The coach of the New Port Richey Buccaneers of the Pasco Police Athletic League for 13 years, Kary is in the midst of creating the Second Chance Football League, featuring 8-on-8 tackle games for players 18 and older.

"I've seen so many kids around here that I've coached and then went on to play in high school that I thought were very good athletes but aren't really getting looked at to go into college," Kary said.

In addition to rigorous exercise, the league offers an outlet for young men to stay busy and keep out of trouble, he said.

"I preach to my youth team about doing the right thing, taking responsibility for your own actions and staying away from drugs," Kary said. "It doesn't change when they get into their early 20s. In fact, it probably even gets worse."

The coach is looking to start the league in January, with six teams and maximum roster sizes of 25 players. Games are played on a field that is 40 yards wide by 80 yards long, with two 10-yard end zones. Kary chose eight on a side instead of six so the games will be more structured.

He coached a six-man team in a St. Petersburg-based league and said that since every player on the field is eligible, games often became little more than chaotic sandlot contests.

In contrast, eight-man football requires three ineligible interior linemen at all times.

Kary said he has three teams showing strong interest in participating, one of which is his New Port Richey Sharks squad. Now he is hoping to lock up team commitments in Hernando, East Pasco and Lutz.

Along with seeking team commitments and individuals dedicated to organizing and coaching, Kary is in the process of locking up an insurance plan willing to cover the start-up league.

Because of the uncertainty about the price tag for insurance coverage, there is no registration fee determined, but Kary said he is hoping to keep it around $1,500 per team.

November has already been designated for individual team tryouts, with practices beginning in early December.

Kary said he wants to keep the league structured and consistent in regards to tryout and practice times to keep the playing field as level as possible.

Though starting a league is not an easy endeavor, Kary is optimistic.

In fact, he has experience creating successful ventures. Kary was one of two coaches to help form the annual PPAL Thanksgiving Invitational that has turned into a huge fundraiser for the New Port Richey Buccaneers and draws teams from all over the country.

"I've been thinking about this for a long time," he said of the adult league project. "If we can do this, I'd even maybe like to go to 11-on-11 in the future."

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