ROCKINGHAM — Two local youth football teams will head to Florida next month to compete for a national championship.
The 10U and 12U teams of the Raider Elite Youth Football program are fresh off impressive outings in the North Carolina AAU state playoffs and are now asking for the community’s help.
A local non-profit travel organization, Raider Elite Youth Football and John Carter are raising funds to help the teams make the trip to Davenport, Fla.
Set for the week of Dec. 11-16, both Raider Elite squads will face other top teams from around the country and fight for the National Tackle Football Championship.
“Having two top teams in the state means we qualified for Nationals,” Carter, the program’s director of eight years, said. “The majority of the kids are going with their parents, but some won’t be able to.
“So we’re raising money to transport, house and feed those kids for the week,” he continued. “Our goal is $5K, which was the amount we raised two years ago when our 8U team went to Nationals. We want the kids to be able to enjoy it while we’re down there and have a great time.”
Because Raider Elite Youth Football is a local 501(c)3 non-profit, all donations are tax deductible, Carter noted.
The 10U team won the state championship last weekend, defeating the Sandhills Seahawks from Laurinburg 13-6.
That team is coached by Ricky Covington, Terry Covington, Laron Ellerbe, Eugene Flowers, Octavius Harris, Derrick Watkins and Ricky Witner.
In the 12U state title game, the Raider Elite team came up short to the North Carolina Alpha Dogs (Wilson, N.C.) but finished as the state’s runner-up.
Heading up the 12U team are Marcus Brown, Deangelo Davis, Antonio McCoy, Brynt Moore and Terence Watkins.
The Raider Elite program also fielded 6U and 8U teams this fall, the latter making it to the second round of the state playoffs, losing to the eventual state champions.
“We are doing awesome things and are raising the next stars of the future,” Carter said. “A lot of these kids have been practicing since May and we would really like to be supported by the community.
“Any support is appreciated,” he closed. “We had a great season and our program is growing. We’re helping get kids exposed to football early and I believe that all sports teach them great life lessons.”
Carter can be reached at 910-995-0385 or raidereliteyouth@gmail.com. The program has also set up a Cash App account at RaiderYouthFootball.
