'Once a Redskin, always a Redskin'

By Christian Davis
C & G Staff Writer

Rochester youth football, cheer program continue winning, family ways

Rochester Redskins president Scott Prechtel is reminded often just how special his youth football and cheer organization is and how much it means to those who have come and gone.

Just recently, Prechtel said he was in a local gym wearing an old Redskins shirt when a parent of a former player approached him.

“You could see that the experience that he had when his kids played … the lifelong friends his kids met and he met, and the lessons they took away from it. He really missed it,” Prechtel remembered.

In the past 11 years, the Redskins have a winning percentage of around .850 in the Western Suburban Junior Football League between its four levels.

But it’s not the winning or championships that make the organization special to the president.

“The sense of family,” he said. “We have a saying, ‘Once a Redskin, always a Redskin.’”

Josh Renel agrees.

Renel graduated from Rochester Adams last year and is currently the starting punt returner at Wayne State University. Before that, he played six years for the Redskins.

His Warriors have a big game this weekend against the No. 1-ranked Grand Valley State University at noon at home. Renel said he knows he’ll have fans in the stands from the Redskins.

“What I’m most proud of, and what they’re best at, is it’s just a great family organization, and we all stick together,” Renel said. “We still are great friends and stay in contact with each other. The friendships you make are unbelievable and a great overall experience.”

The Redskins are comprised of four levels, with a football and cheer team for each one. There is the junior freshmen team for kids 7-8, which is purely instructional; freshmen for kids 9-10; junior varsity for kids 11-12; and varsity for kids 12-14.

There are 180 total kids in the organization and 150 families, according to Prechtel.

Most of the kids go on to Adams, Rochester High or Rochester Hills Stoney Creek. This season, there were 24 players on Adams’ varsity squad, seven on Stoney Creek and five at Rochester.

Last season, the Redskins had five former members voted All-State at the prep level, including Renel.

“They teach dedication and how to have fun playing football,” Renel said.

The Redskins are a completely volunteer organization and are always looking for help.

They will also soon be looking for players for the 2009 campaign. Those interested can call Prechtel at (248) 330-3026 or visit their Web site at www.rochesterredskins.com.

But before anyone starts thinking about 2009, there is still business to take care of in 2008, as the freshmen team plays in the championship against the Lake Area Hawks at noon Nov. 9 at Redford Thurston.

The cheer teams are in action at 9:45 a.m. Nov. 8 at Walled Lake Northern for a Cheer Rally.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062.