By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Jackie Cunningham has been coaching youth football teams in the area for more than 15 years.
During that time his teams have enjoyed their share of success -- which for the most part has come outside of Forrest City.
With no organized youth football league in place within the city, Cunningham's teams have sought other leagues, usually out of town, in which to play.
That is, until this year.
Cunningham, along with three other youth football coaches in the area have formed the East Arkansas Youth Football Association.
The league will open the season on Saturday, Aug. 31, when they take part in a four-team jamboree on the practice field at Forrest City High School.
Cunningham's Ponies will kick off the event at 4 p.m., when they take on the Steelers, coached by Darry Banks and former Mustang football player Kendle Williams.
The Steelers are in their first year and have about 20 kids on roster.
Williams played for Cunningham when he was younger.
That game will be followed by the Forrest City Gators taking on the Razorbacks.
Don Atter coaches the Gators, another first-year team, while Patrick Boles is the coach of the Razorbacks.
"I was looking for a breakthrough this year," Cunningham said. "And being able to form this league is good thing for the kids and for youth football."
Kids are eligible to play in the league provided they maintain a "C" average in school and do not turn 13 before Nov. 15.
"We want the kids to have fun and we want to provide an alternative like teaching them the game of football to get them off the streets," Cunningham said. "That is the focus of this league. Youth football is growing in areas all around us. It isn't about being black or white or any of that. It's about the kids."
Cunningham said new Forrest City Athletic Director Michael Bender and the Forrest City junior high and high school coaching staffs have been very supportive of the new youth league.
"With their continued support and the help from the parents and volunteers, this league can be very successful," Cunningham said.
Friday is the final date to register for the city's youth soccer and flag football leagues.
The late signups for both leagues are being held at Forrest City City Hall.
The soccer league is for boys, ages 5-15 and girls, ages 5-16. Late fees are $20 for players living inside the city limits and $30 for those living outside the city limits.
Late flag football (ages 7-12) fees are $25 for those living inside the city limits and $30 outside the city limits.
The two leagues will begin play the second week of September.