CHECK BACK SOON TO REGISTER FOR THE 2012 SEASON!
MIDDLE SCHOOL WEIGHTS - SIGN UP NOW!
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Looking Ahead
in the CFL

January thru March, 2012
Middle School Weight Lifting, Current 8th- and 7th-Graders, Jan 23-March 29 at Dowling

New Online Forms Page for All Camps & Clinics at Dowling!
GO HERE To Sign Up Online For Most Middle School & Dowling Athletic Camps & Clinics

February through July 2012
Registration Period


Mission Statement
Of The Greater
Des Moines
Catholic Football
League

The Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League, founded in 1964, will strive to provide young student-athletes the opportunity to develop disciplined life skills through family, friends, and the game of Football. The Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League will focus on Five Key Pillars of development:
- Sportsmanship
- Teamwork
- Commitment/Accountability
- Football Fundamentals
- Lifelong Physical Fitness
The Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League will deliver a positive spiritual experience for each player, coach, and family, regardless of the outcome of the game. Our goal is to develop strong young men who, through participation in our league, will naturally progress into Dowling Catholic High School, which develops leaders for life centered on Christ.

L A T E S T   C F L   N E W S

Nearly A Half-Century of Youth Football
Thank You and Congratulations to all Players, Coaches, Volunteers and Families of the 2011 Catholic Football League season. You are part of a tradition spanning nearly a half century that provides quality, organized football devoted to the development of young men and players, centered on Christ. Thank you, and we will see most of you in 2012!


GOOD PERSPECTIVES FOR CFL COACHES & PARENTS
Click Here For Mike Sherman's Open Letter To High School Coaches


ALL 8TH- & 7TH-GRADERS: Middle School Weightlifting at Dowling
Sign Up Here Middle School Weightlifting, Current 8th- and 7th-Graders, Jan 23-March 29 at Dowling, Mondays & Thursdays, 6-7PM - 8th-graders only, 7:15-8:15PM - 7th-graders only


COACH, FRIEND, LEGEND: TONY LAVIA
Dear Catholic Football League Families:
Please honor the passing of Tony Lavia, one of the founders of the Catholic Football League. Tony's decades of work devoted to coaching and volunteering for Dowling Catholic and Dowling athletics can never be repaid, nor honored highly enough. A sign that simply read "Tony's Place" hung on the CFL concession stand at Dowling for many years, looking over the field where thousands of youths have played. Please read a piece honoring Tony. His spirit lives on at Dowling.
-Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League


JIM WILLIAMS OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE LINE CAMP
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, July 9, 10 & 11 - Grades 6 through 12
The Best & Most Reputable Line Camp for Young Men in Iowa
Directed by Legendary Coach Jim Williams
Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Non-Padded Camp, Shorts T-shirt and Cleats - Lunch Provided
SIGN UP EARLY - COACH WILLIAMS CAMP FORM

CONTINUE TO RETURN ALL CFL EQUIPMENT TO THE LEAGUE
Families, Teams, Coaches and Players should return any and all equipment used last season to the league.


ANNOUNCING NEW DOWLING CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLING PROGRAM - CLICK HERE FOR FORM
Dowling Catholic recently received approval to join the CIML Middle School Wrestling League.
Who: All 7th- & 8th-grade parochial students. All experience levels welcome!
What: Dowling Catholic and the Parochial Schools finally have a Middle School wrestling program! The wrestlers will train and compete as a team against other schools in the CIML Middle School League. This is a great opportunity for Dowling Catholic student-athletes to participate in this fun and challenging sport. The wrestling season occurs before the Catholic Basketball league to allow participation in both sports.
When: Oct 17-Dec 16
Where: Practices located in the DCHS Wrestling Room 3-4 times weekly. Eight meets in Nov and Dec planned.
Cost: $120 per wrestler, which covers equipment, coaches and bus travel for the 2 away meets.
Information Meeting: Tuesday, October 11 at 7PM in the Dowling Cafeteria
Please Contact: Billy Battistone, Head Jr. High Wrestling Coach wbattist@dowlingcatholic.org or Head Dowling Wrestling Coach Jon Garvin jgarvin@dowlingcatholic.org.


SIXTH-GRADE TACKLE RULES, 2011 SEASON:
Click for 2011 Sixth-Grade Rules


THIRD- & FOURTH-GRADE FLAG RULES, 2011 SEASON:
Click for 2011 Flag Rules


CATHOLIC FOOTBALL HONORS MARK CAMPOS
Dear Catholic Football League Families:
Please honor the passing of Mark Anthony Campos, longtime Catholic Football League board member, volunteer and coach. Our friend Mark devoted more than 30 years to the Dowling community, Saint Anthony's, and the CFL Packer Program. We all wish Mark peace and his family the comfort of our Catholic community. Please see the Des Moines Register story regarding details about our good friend Mark Campos. A special helmet decal in Mark's honor is planned. Saturday, August 27, the league will honor Mark throughout the day.
God Bless Mark Campos.
-Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League


CLICK HERE FOR CFL POLICIES & PROCEDURES
"Policies & Procedures of the Greater Des Moines Catholic Football League" - Playing Time, Parent, Coach & Player Conduct, Much More


COACHING DRILLS
Two More Coaching Drills from the Youth Football Coaching Association of America, found on our Coaching Drills page: "Open Field Tackling/Three-Way Tackle" Drill & "Buddy Post" Drill


POST-LEAGUE & NON-LEAGUE CFL POLICIES
Coaches & Players Participating in Tournaments After the CFL Season, Please Click Both:
1) Required: Non-CFL Football Waiver
2) League Policy
Signed Waiver Form Required of ALL CFL Coaches and Players Who Play Tournaments & More Outside the CFL


MANDATORY VIRTUS TRAINING FOR ALL CFL COACHES
Required by Diocese - Click for Schedule


CFL TACKLE FOOTBALL SIZES, GRADES 5-8
The CFL will provide footballs to all teams on Equipment Pickup Day, August 6, 2011, at Dowling. The following brand and sizes shall be used:

Wilson TDJ Composite F1713
Wilson TDY Composite F1714


NUTRITION FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
"Eat To Compete" By Dr. David McAllister, DO, FACC - Iowa Heart Center
Click Here for this Quick & Easy Reference Guide to Build Lean Muscle the Proper Way


CFL TACKLE FOOTBALL RULES
Fifth Grade Developmental Tackle Football Rules
Sixth-, Seventh- & Eighth-Grade Tackle Rules:
Iowa High School Activities Association Rules Apply, Except for Ball-Carrier Weight Restrictions.
Additional Sixth-Grade Rules: No Blitzing, Free (No-Contact) Punts, Free Kickoffs & Free Catches with No Returns


DEEPEST THANKS
To All Families, Volunteers, Parents, Players & Coaches Who Make Catholic Football League Possible

Football
Camps

Jim Williams Offensive & Defensive Line Camp, Grades 6 through 12 - Strongly Encouraged
Drake Football Camps

Simpson Football Camps
Buena Vista Football Camps
Nebraska Football Camps
Iowa Football Camps
Iowa State Football Camps
Notre Dame Football Camps
SportsPlex West Football Camps

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