Youth football practice underway for Greater Pittston teams

Games in the Wyoming Valley Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference and the Wyoming Valley Junior Football Conference will soon begin. Meanwhile, teams from the area are suiting up in preparation for the upcoming season.

Greater Pittston has several teams playing this season. They are Pittston Junior Patriots, Duryea Wildcats, West Pittston Rams and Wyoming/West Wyoming/Exeter Panthers.

In the WVWYFCC, West Pittston hosts Kingston on Sunday, Aug. 16 to start the season. The Panthers will host Back Mountain. On Sunday, Aug. 23, Duryea travels to Northwest, while West Pittston travels to Back Mountain and WWE Panthers travel to Kingston.

Playing in the Wyoming Valley Junior Football Conference, the Pittston Junior Patriots will open the season on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Members of the Pittston Junior Patriots football team run laps around Albert West Park before the start of practice Tuesday.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_PSD080915Football_spt_11.jpgMembers of the Pittston Junior Patriots football team run laps around Albert West Park before the start of practice Tuesday. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Junior Patriots’ Ryan Shannon does a tackling drill with the B-team on Tuesday during practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_PSD080915Football_spt_31.jpgPittston Junior Patriots’ Ryan Shannon does a tackling drill with the B-team on Tuesday during practice. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Audrina Martin, 6, has her helmet adjusted by her grandmother Dawn Gallagher of Wilkes-Barre.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_PSD080915Football_spt_41.jpgAudrina Martin, 6, has her helmet adjusted by her grandmother Dawn Gallagher of Wilkes-Barre. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

The Pittston Junior Patriots A-team practices under the direction of president Bob Fahey, left, at Albert West Park on Tuesday.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_PSD080915Football_spt_51.jpgThe Pittston Junior Patriots A-team practices under the direction of president Bob Fahey, left, at Albert West Park on Tuesday. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Caden Reynolds of the Pittston Junior Patriots D-team, right, runs the ball during practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_PSD080915Football_spt_61.jpgCaden Reynolds of the Pittston Junior Patriots D-team, right, runs the ball during practice. Bill Tarutis | For Sunday Dispatch

Panthers players Brady Jones, Colby Tumanelli and Noah Smith wait their turns during a practice drill.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-footabll-91.jpgPanthers players Brady Jones, Colby Tumanelli and Noah Smith wait their turns during a practice drill. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Wyoming/West Wyoming/Exeter Panthers mini football players go over a game drill during practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football51.jpgWyoming/West Wyoming/Exeter Panthers mini football players go over a game drill during practice. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Panther Sam Rau throws a football during practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football31.jpgPanther Sam Rau throws a football during practice. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Panther DeAngelo Tyson gets ready to throw the football during practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football1.jpgPanther DeAngelo Tyson gets ready to throw the football during practice. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

From left, Panthers Chris Vogul and Oliver Bolin spray water on each other to stay cool along with Damian Lefkoski during a short break in between practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football-41.jpgFrom left, Panthers Chris Vogul and Oliver Bolin spray water on each other to stay cool along with Damian Lefkoski during a short break in between practice. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Coach Steve Bolin helps adjust Panther Michael Smith’s pads before the start of practice.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football21.jpgCoach Steve Bolin helps adjust Panther Michael Smith’s pads before the start of practice. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Brady Jones gets ready to run past the linemen.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football71.jpgBrady Jones gets ready to run past the linemen. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Panther Chris Vogul keeps posession of the ball while Luke Barhight trys to bring him down.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football81.jpgPanther Chris Vogul keeps posession of the ball while Luke Barhight trys to bring him down. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Panther John Stone drags a bag to the middle of the field for a drill.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football-11.jpgPanther John Stone drags a bag to the middle of the field for a drill. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch

Panther Ryan Jones attempts to get past one of his teammates trying to take him down.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_mini-football-61.jpgPanther Ryan Jones attempts to get past one of his teammates trying to take him down. Amanda Hrycyna | For Sunday Dispatch