St. Mary's Youth Football reorganizing after Pax River Raiders lose Calvert affiliation

St. Mary's County Recreation and Parks staff updated the Recreation and Parks Board on plans to form a county football league and options for the Pax River Raiders after Calvert County informed the Raiders they would not be able to participate in Calvert for the coming season.

The update centered on three options under consideration: the Pax River Raiders could join Saint Mary's County as their current independent nonprofit club under the Raiders' existing leadership; the Raiders could transfer leadership to someone else and participate as a separate club; or the Raiders could become a club under the Southern Maryland Youth Football nonprofit structure. "March 1st is gonna be online registration. And that's really when we're gonna find out exactly what's happening," Recreation staff member Art Shepherd said, adding that March 1 will show which clubs and families feel comfortable with the new structure.

Why the three-option approach: last season Southern Maryland Youth Football was the single league that participated in St. Mary's County and has agreed to partner with Recreation and Parks to establish a club-based model for a Saint Mary's County Football League. Shepherd said volunteers prefer to defer full nonprofit organization for all clubs until the second year so volunteers can manage the league operations without immediate fiscal responsibilities. "The goal is that all clubs then would have non profit status," Shepherd said, describing a plan where equipment and treasury ownership would rest with the nonprofit club rather than an individual.

Board members and staff discussed logistics: each of the planned four clubs (Mechanicsville Braves, Leonardtown Blue Raiders, Lexington Park Hornets and the Pax River Raiders) would have its own leadership — president, vice president, treasurer and fundraising chair — and each club would send a representative to the league board. Tyrone Harris and Kyle, the county sports coordinator, are working on field scheduling, registration dates and fees. Shepherd said organizers expect two teams initially in each weight division and estimated each team could take up to 40 children.

Volunteer leaders Pat Murphy and Paul Richardson (previous Smithville program leaders) and others have participated in planning meetings. Shepherd said the county will host a parent meeting Thursday the 11th at Esperanza Middle School to answer questions. "I'll be there at Esperanza Middle School cafeteria next, Thursday at 7 o'clock on 11th to discuss that with the parents," Shepherd said.

Shepherd and others said registration numbers on March 1 will reveal whether the Raiders and other clubs commit to the county league or pursue other arrangements. "If people begin to register and feel comfortable with the new status of football, then you'll see the registration showing that," Shepherd said. The county will consider a memorandum of understanding with volunteer leaders to clarify expectations and communication. Board member Julie asked about club governance and was told each club would have an officer slate and representation to the league board.

The county will also monitor older age divisions more closely because participation declines at older ages; Shepherd said the older divisions may need to partner with other jurisdictions for games.

Board members did not take a formal vote on the options; staff said they will continue working with volunteers and will report back after registration opens.