Fort Bliss Monitor

Take to the gridiron
Fort Bliss Panthers begin 2004 season

STORY AND PHOTOS BY 1ST LT. VICTOR HOFFER, 31st ADA Bde. Public Affairs
Photo IlLustration by Susan Laven

(Above from left)
Robert Maldonado, a Panther tight end, is tackled while running the ball.
Julen Maddox, 9, listens to his coach explain tactics for linemen on the defense.
Coach Danny Adams, center, and Coach Maurice Haywood, in uniform, demonstrate defensive moves for the players during a recent practice.
Panther quarterback Chris Lutz waits for the hike to begin the play.

Staff Sgt. Maurice Haywood of the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s 3rd Battalion, 2nd ADA Regiment barks orders, yelling at the cluster of people around him. With the authority of an NCO, he gives instruction and, on occasion, the disciplinary comment, trying to keep order in the chaos. And that’s after he’s done with work for the day.

As a volunteer football coach for the Fort Bliss Youth Services, Haywood has his hands full trying to teach the basics of football to children as young as eight. With the new season already beginning, two hour practices are in full swing at the Logan Heights and George Moore Park every night. Some days, Haywood drives straight to the field after he completes his work as the personnel sergeant for the battalion.

“I love football and I love kids,” he said of his motivation to take on the volunteer work immediately after the duty day. “For the love of the game.”

The kids who play are thrilled to have him. The Fort Bliss Panthers compete in the El Paso city league, often against teams better financed and with more experience, but that doesn’t keep these kids from working hard and striving for the best.

“I love playing football ‘cause it’s one of my favorite sports,” said Veyonte Bynum, 9, in his first year with the team. “I’ve played it for a long time.” His outlook for the season? “I feel really confident and I think we’re going to have a good record this year.”

Coach Danny Adams demon-strates the proper 4-point stance for lineman Maurice Haywood Jr., 9.

For the kids, it’s a chance to get out and exercise, participate in a team sport and have fun all at the same time. For coaches it’s all about the kids and the gridiron; they simply love football. Parents see it as an opportunity for their children to socialize, develop their self-confidence and establish a life-long habit of fitness and participation in organized sports. The coaches are examples of that.

“I grew up playing football,” said Coach Jalani Sanders, a sergeant in C Battery, 3-6 ADA Bn. “I played little league football and college football [and this is my] third year doing this.” After his time in the Army, Sanders plans on pursuing coaching. “I like dealing with the kids and have a lot of experience working with children.”
For more information on Fort Bliss Youth Services sports, call 568-KIDS.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	August 19, 2004

Michael Jenkins, son of 3-2 commander Lt. Col. Jimmy Jenkins, runs an agility drill at the beginning of practice.	Take to the gridiron Fort Bliss Panthers begin 2004 season STORY AND PHOTOS BY 1ST LT. VICTOR HOFFER, 31st ADA Bde. Public Affairs Photo IlLustration by Susan Laven (Above from left) Robert Maldonado, a Panther tight end, is tackled while running the ball. Julen Maddox, 9, listens to his coach explain tactics for linemen on the defense. Coach Danny Adams, center, and Coach Maurice Haywood, in uniform, demonstrate defensive moves for the players during a recent practice. Panther quarterback Chris Lutz waits for the hike to begin the play. Staff Sgt. Maurice Haywood of the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s 3rd Battalion, 2nd ADA Regiment barks orders, yelling at the cluster of people around him. With the authority of an NCO, he gives instruction and, on occasion, the disciplinary comment, trying to keep order in the chaos. And that’s after he’s done with work for the day. As a volunteer football coach for the Fort Bliss Youth Services, Haywood has his hands full trying to teach the basics of football to children as young as eight. With the new season already beginning, two hour practices are in full swing at the Logan Heights and George Moore Park every night. Some days, Haywood drives straight to the field after he completes his work as the personnel sergeant for the battalion. “I love football and I love kids,” he said of his motivation to take on the volunteer work immediately after the duty day. “For the love of the game.” The kids who play are thrilled to have him. The Fort Bliss Panthers compete in the El Paso city league, often against teams better financed and with more experience, but that doesn’t keep these kids from working hard and striving for the best. “I love playing football ‘cause it’s one of my favorite sports,” said Veyonte Bynum, 9, in his first year with the team. “I’ve played it for a long time.” His outlook for the season? “I feel really confident and I think we’re going to have a good record this year.” Coach Danny Adams demon-strates the proper 4-point stance for lineman Maurice Haywood Jr., 9. For the kids, it’s a chance to get out and exercise, participate in a team sport and have fun all at the same time. For coaches it’s all about the kids and the gridiron; they simply love football. Parents see it as an opportunity for their children to socialize, develop their self-confidence and establish a life-long habit of fitness and participation in organized sports. The coaches are examples of that. “I grew up playing football,” said Coach Jalani Sanders, a sergeant in C Battery, 3-6 ADA Bn. “I played little league football and college football [and this is my] third year doing this.” After his time in the Army, Sanders plans on pursuing coaching. “I like dealing with the kids and have a lot of experience working with children.” For more information on Fort Bliss Youth Services sports, call 568-KIDS.