Football promotes physical fitness as well as confidence, teamwork, and fun. The Canton Lions football program is led by the unit director, and there are dedicated coaches for each team.
Safety is the No. 1 priority of our football program. Coaches work closely with all of the athletes to ensure adequate conditioning, intense practices, and proper techniques are learned and used at all times. If you have any questions about the football program, please email the football unit director.
We are able to keep registration fees low with the help of our generous sponsors and fundraising support. The registration fee for 2025 is $275. Canton Lions provide all of the equipment your player will need to safely play football. Players only need to purchase football cleats and a girdle/cup.
Football Teams
- Varsity - Ages 12-14** ; Maximum Weight: 190 pounds
- Junior Varsity - Ages 11-12*; Maximum Weight: 150 pounds
- Freshman - Ages 8-10* ; Maximum Weight: 130 pounds
- Junior Freshman - Ages 6-8*; Maximum Weight: 110 pounds
* Age before September 1st of the playing year
Practice Information
Practice Begins
Football practices will begin at the end of July (the start date will be announced in the spring) at Heritage Park 6-8 pm. Once daylight saving time ends, and it gets darker earlier, the practice start time will change to 5:30 pm.
Practice Location
The practice field is located off of Canton Center Road, one mile south of Cherry Hill, behind the Canton Township fire station.
Conditioning/Practice Schedule
Michigan Youth Football & Cheer Conference (MYFCC) rules require four weeks of football conditioning/practice prior to the first game to help reduce risk of injury. ALL football teams will convene for conditioning Monday, July 25, 2022, 6–8 p.m. at the practice fields at Heritage Park. Conditioning takes place Monday through Friday, July 25–July 29, 2022.
Practice, with partial or full equipment, as specified by the club/head coach, begins Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. Practice takes place Monday through Friday each week through the Friday before the first regular-season game.
Pre-Season
Jr. Freshman, Freshman,
Junior Varsity and Varsity
|
Monday - Friday
6-8 pm
Practice Fields
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Regular Season (Once Games Begin)
Jr Freshman
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Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
6-8 pm
Practice Fields
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Freshman, Junior Varsity
and Varsity
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Tuesday - Friday
6-8 pm
Practice Fields
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Once it begins to get darker earlier, the practice start time will change to 5:30 pm. Any change in practice schedule and/or practice time will be communicated by the club/head coach.
Practice Attire
Players should wear football shoes (non-metal cleats), shorts, and a t-shirt. Camp gear (a pair of shorts and a Canton Lions t-shirt) will be provided for each athlete on or prior to the first day of conditioning. Athletes should wear their camp gear, or similar attire, during conditioning. For the first two weeks of conditioning/practice, athletes must have their last name printed across the back of their shirt or printed on tape placed on the back of the shirt.
Prior to practice beginning, head coaches will instruct athletes on the proper gear to wear (helmets, mouth guards, etc.). Football players will be issued practice pants and jerseys; families may also wish to purchase their athlete (and themselves!) a practice jersey personalized with the athlete’s last name and number. The purchase of a personalized practice jersey is optional. Purchase details will be shared and posted online at www.lionsfootballcheer.com.
Practice Cancellations
Practices are rarely canceled due to rain. However, if LIGHTNING occurs, practice will be suspended, and all athletes will seek shelter as directed by the club/their coaches, for 30 minutes from the last lightning occurrence.
Practice cancellation will be determined by the executive board of directors. Should the practice be canceled for weather or any reason, Canton Lions volunteers will remain with the athletes until everyone has been picked up. As a courtesy to our volunteers, if thunderstorms/severe weather is in the forecast on practice days, please either remain at the fields during practice or be prepared to pick up your child early, in the event practice gets canceled.
If practice should be canceled for any other reason, the football unit/cheerleading director and/or the head coaches will communicate the cancellation. A representative of the Canton Lions will be at the field to inform parents of the cancellation.
Equipment
Football
FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT (provided by the club)
Helmet
Game Jersey
Pads
Game Pants
Practice Jersey
Practice Pants
Belt
ADDITIONAL FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT (to be purchased by parents)
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s coach before purchasing anything.
Football shoes, which shall consist of stitched or molded construction, of leather, canvas or synthetic material with no less than eight (8) cleats per shoe. Soles shall contain composite molded one-piece cleats or screw-in cleats with no exposed metal and not exceeding more than ½ inch in length.
Girdle/athletic supporter with a hard protective cup. Each football player must wear this equipment to all games and practices. *Note: Girdle pads will be supplied by the club.
Mouth Guard