Football Program for Youths Kicks Off
Algiers charter league serves middle school

September 20, 2007
By Michael Molaison
The Times Picayune

Several community leaders in Algiers are using sports and football as a mechanism to teach children the value of hard work and dedication.

The Algiers Charter Schools Association, or ACSA, has started fielding a middle school football program. Emanuel Powell, who played ball at O. Perry Walker, graduated in 1986, and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Utah, coaches the Algiers Tigers Middle School team. After graduating from college, Powell returned home to teach and coach football.

Powell began his coaching career at O. Perry Walker as defensive back coach under Frank Wilson. After three years, he advanced to defensive coordinator at L.B. Landry. Before Hurricane Katrina, he was head coach at Landry Middle School. His team won the city middle school championship.

Children from across the ACSA middle schools are invited to participate on Powell's Tigers. Most of the players are from Algiers, although Powell has a few players from the east bank. Powell said he would not be able to even field a team without the support of his fellow faculty and staff at Fischer Elementary.

"I want to give special thanks to all Algiers Charter Middle schools principals and teachers because without the faculty to help and allow the kids participate, it would not be possible."

Being a player or a coach on Powell's team requires dedication. "This is our first year in existence. We started with spring practice in May and ran practices throughout the summer. For the summer sessions with the kids, we had seven coaches, all volunteers. We practiced 15 days in May with no pads, since we didn't have equipment at that time."

Powell's staff of volunteer coaches includes Charles Dillon, Terry Douglas, George Duplesis, Bobby Jefferson, Delbert Jolla, Frank Joshua, Freddie King, Ryan Lloyd and Leo Pollard III.

"We have a very diverse staff. Our coaches are not all in the educational system. Our coaches' professions range from being a major in the U.S. Army, a systems accountant and a project manager. Our overall goal is to be positive role models for our players. We are all about building bridges for them by providing them with positive life experiences," Powell said.

Powell used the May practices to teach basic football skills. "A lot of kids never played football before. We have kids from sixth, seventh and eighth grade. We had to start at the beginning and teach them all the basics."

Powell and his team also recently had to overcome the challenge of where to practice.

"We were practicing at Alice Harte, but due to mold, we had to move a couple of weeks ago. Curtis "Skip" Lamothe, head coach at Walker, has been excellent in helping us. We now are able to practice at Walker. Edna Karr has been supportive too. Jabbar Juluke's coaches have been at practice a few times to help out the kids."

He views football as a mechanism to teach children the value of a strong work ethic. Powell said, "I want them to be a team, to see all of them working together so they can see where the hard work and dedication pays off. I want the kids learn to work hard and complete what they started, and not just quit or give up. It's not the score that we are looking for. The ACSA Middle School Football Staff is not just about the X's and O's aspect of football. We genuinely care for our players and their well-being on and off of the field, especially in the classroom.

"We periodically visit all of the schools and check with the teachers regarding our players' conduct and academic progress. If a player is not doing well in school, we have a very intense talk with them in addition to informing their parents/guardians. At the beginning of the school year the feedback from most of the teachers was regarding our players' classroom behavior. We have addressed that issue and are not getting any negative behavior reports."

Powell said, "Progress reports have been recently issued and we are currently working with the parents/guardians to address the academic problems. If tutoring is available, the player knows that he should go to tutoring first and practice second. We stress to the kids that they are not just athletes, they are student-athletes and that they can't forget about the student part of that title.

After long days of practice in the spring and summer, Powell's team is ready to play ball. "The kids are very excited at this particular time; they are ready to play. They want to see how far they have come," Powell said.

Unfortunately, a recent rain forced postponement of the Tigers' first game, but the teams are working to reschedule.

The Tiger's schedule includes Behrman Stadium home dates with Holy Cross (postponed) and South Plaquemine (Oct. 18). The Tigers also have road dates at Rummel (today), at Houma (Oct. 11) and at Lusher (Oct. 27). Spectators and fans are welcome to all the games to cheer on the Algiers Tigers.