Red & Black. Pride & Community. 1st Grade through 6th Grade.
The latest from Red & Black Nation
Sign-ups for the 2026 Winchester Youth Football season are officially live! All three divisions are open — The Titans, 1st & 2nd grade, The Crusaders, 3rd and 4th grade, and finally the Spartans, 5th and 6th grade. Spots fill quickly, so register early to guarantee your child's place on the team.
All registered players must attend one equipment fitting session at Knowlton Stadium, 9 AM – 12 PM. Helmets, shoulder pads, and game uniforms will be distributed. Players must bring their medical release form to receive equipment.
We're always looking for enthusiastic parent volunteers to help coach. No prior coaching experience required — just a passion for youth development. All volunteers must complete a background check and American Youth Football SafeSport certification before the first practice.
Our Spring Clinic is May 30th. Community kickoff event at Manchester Field. Meet coaches, high school players, teammates, and fun for the whole family.
Two weeks of intensive pre-season conditioning and fundamentals training before the regular season kicks off. Open to all registered players. Monday through Friday, 8:00–10:00 AM at Lynch Field. Mandatory for returning players.
Join us for a hands on football clinic at Manchester Field on May 30th! Meet the coaches, meet past and current players, enjoy food, and get your child ready for the season.
More than football — a Winchester tradition
American Youth Football certifies that coaches ensure proper tackling and blocking technique. Every player is professionally fitted for equipment before their first practice.
Winchester Youth Football requires academic eligibility every season. We partner with Winchester schools to support student-athletes in the classroom as much as on the field.
Teamwork, discipline, respect, and resilience — the values we coach every day at practice become lifelong habits your child carries well beyond football.
Regular season league games, playoffs, and championship tournaments give every player a chance to compete at their best under real game conditions.
The Red & Black are a tight-knit Winchester family. Parents volunteer, cheer, and build lasting friendships while watching their children grow into confident young athletes.
Registration for 2026 closes June 15th so don't miss out.
Mark your calendar — Red & Black all season long
All three divisions open for registration at winchesteryouthfootball.com. First-come, first-served for limited spots.
9 AM – 12 PM, Knowlton Stadium parking lot. Medical release forms required. Uniforms and pads distributed.
Community kickoff event at Manchester Field. Meet coaches, high school players, teammates, and fun for the whole family.
All forms, medical clearances, and fees due. Late registration considered only if roster spots remain.
Mandatory for returning players. Mon–Fri, 8–10 AM at Lynch Field. Fundamentals, conditioning, and team building.
First game weekend. Home opener at Knowlton Stadium. All families encouraged to come out and cheer!
Top division finishers advance to playoff rounds. Championship game date and location TBD by league.
Annual awards banquet for all players, families, and coaches. A celebration of every player's hard work and growth.
The Winchester Youth Football program exists to provide every child in Winchester, Massachusetts the opportunity to grow through the sport of football. We develop young athletes physically and mentally — building confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of the game.
As a member of American Youth Football, we are bound by the highest standards in youth sports: academic eligibility requirements, player safety protocols, and a commitment to treating every child with dignity and respect.
Dedicated coaches who bleed Red & Black
A Winchester native and former college linebacker at UMass Lowell, Coach Marcus has led the Sachems since 2015. With 12+ years of youth coaching and USA Football Heads Up certification, he sets the standard for player development and team culture.
Coach Denise runs our youngest Flag division and leads player development initiatives across all divisions. A certified USA Football coach, she brings exceptional patience and enthusiasm that makes young players feel safe and excited to compete.
Eight seasons coaching youth and prep football gives Coach Tony a deep playbook and an even deeper well of teaching patience. He specializes in QB development and helping young skill players read defenses with confidence beyond their years.
Coach Sandra joined the Sachems in 2019 after coaching her son's flag team and never looked back. Her gap-shooting defensive schemes have led the Sachems to three of our best defensive seasons. Known for her high energy and no-excuses practice style.
A six-year Sachems veteran, Coach Brian oversees special teams across all divisions and serves as head coach for our Junior Mighty Mite squad. His booming pre-game speeches are the stuff of Sachem legend — ask any returning player.
Coach Lisa monitors academic eligibility for all registered players, working directly with Winchester's elementary schools and McCall Middle School. She also runs our player wellness check-ins and connects families with support resources when needed.
Coach Ray is in his third season leading the Mighty Mite division after coaching youth lacrosse for five years. His background in multi-sport athletics makes him exceptional at helping kids transition from flag to tackle football with proper mechanics.
Coach Maria played collegiate rugby and brings an elite understanding of blocking schemes and physical conditioning to our oldest division. In her four seasons with the Sachems, the Junior PeeWee squad has reached the playoffs three times.
The Winchester volunteers who make it all possible
Coach Harrison coached youth football for 5 seasons while his son Bryan (Harvard, Class of '30) played on Winchester's Pop Warner and SYFC teams. He has two older daughters, Kayla (Wesleyan, Class of '26) and Amanda (Middlebury, Class of '27) and convinced his amazing wife Mai to start WYF with him. He was captain and played linebacker and offensive guard at Fieldston High School in NYC. When not on the football field, Coach Harrison works as an internist and pediatrician at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Darin Byrne has coached youth football for the past eight seasons, working with both Pop Warner and SYFC, and will be coaching SYFC again this season. He and his wife, Molly, have three sons—all of whom have played or are currently playing in the program: Nolan (WHS Class of '28), Billy (WHS Class of '30), and Matty (McCall, rising 7th grader). A former player and captain at Winchester High School and Amherst College, Darin's love for the game of football—and the lessons it teaches—is only surpassed by his passion for helping young athletes build confidence, accountability, teamwork, and a strong sense of community. Off the field, Darin serves as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. You may have also seen (or heard) him singing offkey and playing guitar at a few local watering holes.
Michael (Class of '88 and former WHS player) has been actively involved in youth and high school football for several seasons, supporting both coaching efforts, documenting the seasons via video, and he will continue contributing to the program this year. He and his wife, Erin, are deeply connected to the team, with his two sons, Michael (Class of '26) and Joseph (Class of '28), both participating in the SYFC program as well as WHS. Michael will be attending Bates College (Class of '30) next year where he will be continuing his football journey. A strong believer in the value of youth sports, Michael is passionate about helping young athletes develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, and a sense of community. Off the field, he brings his professional experience and leadership to his work, while staying committed to supporting the growth and success of the program. Along with his two sons, Michael has an older daughter Emma attending St. Anselm Nursing School.
Every Winchester coach, board member, and team volunteer undergoes annual criminal background checks and completes the mandatory American Youth Football training program. We follow all American Youth Football policies without exception. Our coaching staff is fully certified, meaning every tackling drill, blocking technique, and physical contact in practice is taught to the highest standards of player safety. Each coach is required to complete NFHS Concussion in Sports training, American Red Cross CPR,and NFHS Football Tackling training. The Red and Black standard means we never cut corners — your child's safety is our first obligation.
Every child finds their level — skill, age, and weight-appropriate competition
The perfect starting point for first-time players
Titan football is the entry point for our youngest Players. The focus is on learning the fundamentals: catching, throwing, running routes, and understanding basic field positions. This division builds confidence and a love of the game in our youngest athletes.
Introduction to tackle football in a safe, controlled environment
Crusaders is where players take their next steps into tackle football. Coaches focus heavily on safe tackling and blocking technique using the USA Football Heads Up methodology. Players learn their positions, run basic formations, and compete in full-pads league games. A transformative year for young athletes.
Our most advanced division — preparing athletes for middle school football
Spartans is the program's most competitive division, designed to fully prepare players for middle school and high school football. The playbook is sophisticated, conditioning is serious, and the expectations reflect near-varsity standards of discipline and commitment. Our JPW players have consistently gone on to shine at McCall and Winchester High School.
Placement in a division is determined by age, grade, and body weight as required by American Youth Football rules. All players are officially weighed and certified by a American Youth Football-approved official at the start of each season. Players whose weight exceeds the maximum for their grade division will be moved up to the next division. American Youth Football weight rules exist to ensure fair and safe competition for all children.
Junior PeeWee Division — Primary Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Kickoff | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8 | Woburn Pop Warner | Home | 10:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Aug 15 | Stoneham Spartans | Away | 11:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Aug 22 | Reading Pop Warner | Home | 10:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Aug 29 | Medford Tigers | Away | 9:30 AM | Upcoming |
| Sep 5 | Burlington Cardinals | Home | 10:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Sep 12 | Wilmington Wildcats | Away | 11:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Sep 19 | Lexington Pop Warner | Home | 10:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Sep 26 | Wakefield Warriors | Away | 10:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Oct 3 | Belmont Buccaneers | Home | 11:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Oct 10 | Malden Pop Warner | Away | 10:00 AM | Upcoming |
| Oct 17–18 | Division Playoffs | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Mighty Mite & Junior Mighty Mite — Schedule Overview
| Date | Opponent | Division | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8 | Woburn Pop Warner | MM & JMM | Home | 8:00 AM / 12:00 PM |
| Aug 15 | Stoneham | MM & JMM | Away | 9:00 AM / 11:00 AM |
| Aug 22 | Reading | MM & JMM | Home | 8:00 AM / 12:00 PM |
| Aug 29 | Medford | MM & JMM | Away | 8:30 AM / 10:30 AM |
| Sep 5 | Burlington | MM & JMM | Home | 8:00 AM / 12:00 PM |
| Sep 12 | Wilmington | MM & JMM | Away | 9:00 AM / 11:00 AM |
| Sep 19 | Lexington | MM & JMM | Home | 8:00 AM / 12:00 PM |
| Sep 26 | Wakefield | MM & JMM | Away | 9:00 AM / 11:00 AM |
| Oct 3 | Belmont | MM & JMM | Home | 8:00 AM / 12:00 PM |
Flag Football Division
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 8 | Woburn Flag | Home | 9:00 AM |
| Aug 22 | Stoneham Flag | Away | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 5 | Reading Flag | Home | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 19 | Burlington Flag | Away | 9:00 AM |
| Oct 3 | Wilmington Flag | Home | 9:00 AM |
| Oct 10 | Flag Tournament | TBD | TBD |
Flag & Junior Mighty Mite: Tuesday & Thursday · 5:00–6:30 PM · Lynch Field
Mighty Mite: Tuesday & Thursday · 5:30–7:00 PM · Rotary Field
Junior PeeWee: Tuesday, Thursday & Friday · 5:30–7:30 PM · Lynch Field
Pre-Season Camp (All Divisions): July 27 – August 7 · Mon–Fri · 8:00–10:00 AM · Lynch Field
Game-Day Arrival: All players must arrive at Knowlton Stadium 45 minutes before kickoff for warm-ups.
Whether your child has never touched a football or has been dreaming of wearing a Winchester football jersey since birth — all skill levels are welcome. Our coaches meet every player where they are and help them grow.
Registration includes:
Eligibility Requirements:
Financial hardship assistance is available — no Winchester child will be turned away due to cost. Contact us confidentially at dwharrison@mgh.harvard.edu to learn about our scholarship program and payment plan options.
The generous support of our sponsors keeps registration fees low and equipment top-quality
The En Ka Society is a non-profit charitable organization comprised of over 200 women volunteers. Our mission is to aid various non-profit organizations and initiatives that serve the people of Winchester, its residents in need, and our town for public purposes.
Gold SponsorWinchester's community bank — supporting local families and organizations for over 100 years. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to youth sports in our town.
Gold SponsorProviding expert orthopedic and sports medicine care to our region. We are proud partners in keeping our Winchester healthy, strong, and on the field.
Gold SponsorWinchester's favorite local gathering spot — proud sponsor of Winchester Youth Football game-day concessions and the annual end-of-season banquet.
Silver SponsorHelping Winchester families find their homes — and cheering on their kids on Saturday mornings at Knowlton Stadium.
Silver SponsorOfficial post-game pizza sponsor of the Winchester Red & Black. Their generous donations feed our hungry athletes after every home game!
Silver Sponsor
The En Ka Society is a non-profit charitable organization comprised of over 200 women volunteers. Our mission is to aid various non-profit organizations and initiatives that serve the people of Winchester, its residents in need, and our town for public purposes.
Silver SponsorSupporting Winchester pups and players since 2019.
CommunityProud Winchester business keeping our community beautiful.
CommunityFueling Winchester parents since 6 AM on game days.
CommunityProtecting Winchester families and supporting youth athletics.
CommunityJoin our growing roster of community partners and show Winchester that you invest in the next generation. Sponsorships help fund equipment, field costs, and scholarship assistance — and your logo gets prominent placement on our website, game-day banners, spirit wear, and social media all season long.
Contact our Fundraising Chair Michelle Lee at sponsors@winchesteryouthfootball.com or call (781) 867-5309 to discuss a sponsorship package.
Can't find what you're looking for? Our team is happy to help. Email us at dwharrison@mgh.harvard.edu You can also send us a message through the Contact page and we'll get back to you within 1–2 business days.
Knowlton Stadium · 33 Cross Street
Winchester, MA 01890
Lynch Field · Waterfield Road, Winchester
Rotary Field · Thompson Street, Winchester
General: info@winchesteryouthfootball.com
Registration: registration@winchesteryouthfootball.com
Sponsors: sponsors@winchesteryouthfootball.com
(781) 867-5309
Monday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
Game Saturdays: 7:30 AM–2 PM
President: James Thompson
Registrar: David Walsh
Equipment: Patrick Garcia
Sponsorship: Michelle Lee
