What does my registration fee cover?

Your registration fee supports the full operation of the football program and includes:

• Pop Warner Little Panthers League Fees
• Game Security Personnel (present at every game)
• Officials (Referees) Fees
• On-Site Medics at All Games
• Insurance Coverage (through Mallard Creek Optimist Club)
• Field Maintenance & Lighting (practice & game fields)
• Uniforms
• Semi Yearly Equipment Recertification (helmets, pads, etc.)

Mallard Creek Optimist Club is a non-profit organization funded entirely by membership fees and donations. We are not funded by any municipality, so every dollar directly supports our sports programs.

When is the first game and when will the schedule be released?

The first game is typically the second Saturday in August.

Full game schedules are generally released during the first week of September. As soon as schedules are received from the league, they are immediately shared with coaches and families.

Game times are set week-by-week.

How will I be notified about weather cancellations?

See Parent Resources Page for Weather Policy

How much time is involved?

Pop Warner Football is a significant time commitment for both players and parents.

The first two weeks of the season are “conditioning weeks.”
Before school begins, players may practice up to four nights per week for up to two hours.

Once school begins, practices typically scale back to three nights per week.

What time are practices?

Practices typically run 2 hours (maximum 2½ hours).

Most teams practice between:

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Practice days and times may vary depending on coach availability and field scheduling.

Are coaches paid employees?

No. All coaches and staff members are volunteers.

Mallard Creek Optimist Club is fully volunteer-operated. Our coaches donate countless hours to develop our athletes while balancing their own professional and personal responsibilities.

We ask families to respect and support our volunteer leadership.

Do we have to purchase football equipment?

No.

The program provides:

• Helmet
• Shoulder Pads
• Practice Jersey
• Game Jerseys
• Game Pants

All issued equipment must be returned at the end of the season.

How much will my child play?

All players will participate in games.

Each division follows the Mandatory Play Rule (MPR), which guarantees every player a minimum number of plays per game.

Coaches determine position placement based on skill development and team needs.

What is the Mandatory Play Rule?

Pop Warner requires a Mandatory Play Rule (MPR) based on team size: 16-25 players (10 plays), 26-30 (8 plays), and 31-35 (6 plays). Plays must be active, live-ball from the line of scrimmage, excluding special teams, kicks, and quarterback spikes. Mandatory plays must be completed by the end of the 3rd quarter or the player starts the 4th quarter.

• Purpose: Ensures every eligible player participates in every game, provided they attend practice.
• Tracking: Dedicated volunteers (monitors) track plays for each team, with reports often finalized by halftime.
• Penalties: Failure to meet the MPR can lead to forfeiture of the game, probation, or suspension for the head coach
• Exceptions: Plays resulting in a penalty that causes the down to be replayed do not count toward the total.

Who do I contact about coaching or volunteering?

We welcome parent involvement.

To become a coach or volunteer, please contact:

[email protected]

There are many ways to serve beyond coaching, including:

See Parent Resources page for full volunteer information.