Steele youth football team wins

The Lorain Steelemen Youth Football Team has pint-size players with big ambitions and skills to match.

This fall, the team captured the Ohio State Youth Football Conference state championship.

Now, they are aiming for the United Youth Football League National Championship in Plant City, Fla.

The team is made up of boys age 5 to 7.

On Nov. 19, they were not on the field, but appeared under the bright lights of Lorain City Hall.

At the Lorain Council meeting, Mayor Chase Ritenauer offered the city’s congratulations to the players, coaches and parents.

The players carried trophies with them, including one that looked like a Super Bowl trophy, the mayor said.

“We’ve got to rely on them to do the winning,” because it won’t be the Cleveland Browns, Ritenauer said.

“Obviously, this is a team of champions right here, not just the players, but the coaches,” he said.

But there are other things the program does that are part of winning as well, the mayor said.

The team has mentorship for children ages 5 to 12 through football and cheerleading, Ritenauer said.

He said founder Ricky Smith started the program 19 years ago to focus on discipline, sportsmanship, safety, leadership, work ethic, academics, responsibility and self determination.

The youth team has scored its third consecutive championship, Ritenauer said.

“Obviously, it takes a winning effort on the field,” he said. “Kids, I’m here to tell you, all the things your coaches are telling you, you do it on the football field. But in life, it’s so important as well.

“Teamwork, leadership, determination, when the chips get down, to get back up and continue working like you all have. Three championships says it all.”

The boys are a blessing to the coaches, Smith said.

He also thanked God for the opportunities with the team.

Two players were on the team that won a national championship last year, Smith said.

The team represents Ohio and the audience clapped when Smith said last year, the team beat a team from Michigan to win.

The team is in fundraising mode to pay for the trip to Florida.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can go to any First Federal Savings & Loan and refer to the Steele City Youth Football Mentorship Program.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Lorain Mayor Chase Ritenauer, left, honors the Lorain Steelemen Youth Football Team for winning an Ohio youth football state championship as part of the Lorain City Council meeting on Nov. 19. The team hopes to raise money to take a trip to a national tournament in Florida.