The Sparta youth football war is over

By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA- The Spartans and the Bears are re-uniting after an eight-year hiatus, and The Nerds will be there to sing about it.
Sparta Youth Football will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year. A special fundraiser for the little league program will be held on Friday, May 26 at Mohawk House featuring popular New Jersey cover band The Nerds.
The organization is looking forward to a big year, as it takes on the Sparta Bears in an official merger after a contentious split eight years ago. The divisiveness and bad blood between the two football and cheer leagues seems to be in the past, as a new agreement was reached in mid-April.
“We are coming together and will be one of the biggest programs in the state of New Jersey,” said Tim Lindsay, president of Sparta Youth Football. “ We believe it’s a fair process, and we have reached a parody across the board.”
In youth sports, the coaches are volunteers, often the parents of players. According to sources, there was a difference of coaching philosophies and future vision for Sparta Youth Football which caused a group of coaches eight years ago to form their own organization, the Sparta Bears. But this year they have been able to bury the hatchet and the two leagues — the Spartans and the bears — are one again.
Sparta Youth Football is for Kindergarten through 8th grade offering flag, tackle and cheerleading programs. Last year, there was over 200 participants. An expected increase is anticipated with former Bears players and cheer members joining the Spartans.
“It’s exciting and offers many possibilities for the future of these kids,” said John Hertzberg, former president of Sparta Youth Football and Deputy Mayor of Sparta. “They go to school together and play other sports all year round together, so it’s only natural they should play football together.”
And football is expensive, said Lindsay, because “people don’t take into account the insurance and equipment costs.”
“The refurbishing alone of the helmets is very costly,” Hertzberg added.
Steve Scro, owner of Mohawk House has stepped in to help raise money for the league with a community fundraiser hosted at his restaurant.
“Always proud to support our community and bring people together, “ said Scro. “ I am looking forward to another successful event reuniting Sparta ‘s Youth Football and Cheer families. And thanks to Franklin Sussex Auto Mall for partnering with Mohawk House.”
Tickets are $20 per person for the 7 p.m. event and can be purchased in advance at Mohawk House or at www.spartafootball.org and will be also be available at the door that evening.
Registration for 2017 Sparta Youth Football and Cheer is now open at www.spartafootball.org