Registration for the current season will be from March 1st thru July 26th (dates are subject to change). Please click on the registration tab on the home page or on the left tool bar to register.

You should register for the grade that your player will be in during the FALL of the NEW school year. 

For example, if your player is currently in kindergarten and going to be in 1st grade for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, then you would register your player for 1st grade football.

On the drop down menu choose the option "Didn't play for Raptors last year." A blank box will appear and you can fill in your coaches name.

Birth certificates are required by the AYL to verify your players age for team rosters.

The fee covers many items including but not limited to:

• Registration costs which are league fees, insurance costs, coach background checks, etc.
• Practice costs such as practice field usage and permits, coaching and practice equipment.
• Game costs such as game field usage and permits, including weekly field set up/tear down, official’s costs, website scheduling, score reporting costs, field lights and official’s evaluation costs.
• Raptors Football operating expenses such as equipment, bank fees, ongoing coaching evaluations and education, administration costs, copying, misc, etc.

The AYL has moved away from AFC and NFC divisions. Every team per age group is seeded from 1-however many teams are in that particular age group. Thus, there are no more "NFC Tryouts." Now there are CLUB Tryouts for each age group (depending on if that age group needs to hold a tryout). Some seasons NOT ALL AGE GROUPS WILL HAVE TRYOUTS. These tryouts are for players within each age group wanting to compete with the highest seeded team. Every player participating in Club Tryouts must be registered. To register please go to the registration tab on the main Raptors Football page. You can also find more information under the Club Tryouts tab on the left hand side of the main football page.

Any child age 6 to 14, (grades 1st thru 8th only - excluding high school students). In some limited situations we do allow 5 year olds (K grade) to play up to age 6. This situation requires a discussion with a Raptors Football representative.

We serve the Castle Rock and Castle Pines areas. However, players from outside this territory can still play within the Raptors football program and are subject to additional requirements. Should you wish to play Raptors football or you are unsure as to which Club Territory you live in, please contact one of the Raptors football representatives.

"Rookie Tackle" Football was started in 2019 and is for 1st-3rd grade only. This is a developmental division for the little guys who want to learn how to play football. This is still tackle football, but special teams like kick-offs and punts have been taken out to limit full on collisions. Full offense and defense will be coached and rosters are a little smaller (max 16 per roster) so every player gets a ton of play time. Coaches are allowed on the field during play at all times to help teach while the game is being played. This is 8 vs. 8 football so coaches can manage the players on the field better, and there are no blitzes allowed. Please contact us at football@raptorsathletics.org for any other questions about this new and exciting division within the AYL.

Raptors is dedicated to getting all of its football players ready for high school football. Raptors Football will attempt to have all 8th grade players play in 8th grade. If there is no team that matches the skill level of the player, that player may play down into the 7th grade age group with the approval of the Raptors Football Director. In addition, all AYL rules pertaining to this must be followed (see AYL rules for more info on this). All other grades you may play down as long as it is within the AYL rules and guidelines, which does not need the Raptors Football Directors approval.

You will need a Home/Away Jersey. This is purchased through our vendor and the fee is separate from the registration fee. You will also need a practice jersey, matte black helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, black football pants with pads. It is not mandatory that they have cleats however they are highly recommended.

Depending on the equipment purchased, equipment costs can be anywhere from $150.00 to $500.00+ (depending on brand and quality of equipment). It is very important that your child does not play with a helmet that is more than 2 years old or has been refurbished.

We provide the helmet decals. They will be issued to your coach for new players and returning players with new helmet. They will be distributed during August.

Yes you can! All we ask is that if/when you are in the market for a new helmet that you purchase the matte black color with black face mask.

The Arapahoe Youth League has 1 level of play (Started in 2021): THERE IS NO MORE NFC, AFC North and AFC South divisions.

All age groups will be in one large division and then seeded from top to bottom. For example, if there are 20 teams in an age group then that age group will be seeded 1-20. The top top 8 or 9 teams will not play the bottom seeds and so on and so forth. This gives each team an opportunity to play a multitude of different teams throughout the season.

Due to safety concerns we will evaluate all NEW players’ based on players past experience and ability. They will then be placed on a team that is equal to their level of play and then seeded accordingly with the new AYL rules. All new players that have not been recruited by an existing Raptors coach will be placed in "the pool" and evaluated during the evaluation process.

If you are a returning player you will automatically be assigned to your previous seasons team. There are a couple of different ways this does not happen. One, is if you decide you do not want to play for that coach any further. At this time you will AUTOMATICALLY be placed back into "the pool" and you will enter the draft process. With this option you can be picked by any team at your grade level. The second way this happens is if your coach decides that your players skill level doesn't match the division that your player currently plays in. Your coach can place a total of three players back into "the pool." At this time you will AUTOMATICALLY be placed into "the pool" and can be drafted by any coach at your grade level. If this happens your current head coach WILL have a conversation with you and/or the players parents as it pertains to this player remaining on their team.

Evaluation camp (if needed depending on teams per age group) usually happens the last week in July and is the way Raptors Football determines what division new player(s) to the program, and player(s) who have been placed into "the pool" should play at.  The evaluation camp is collectively run by the age group leaders who have been predetermined by the Director of Football. The "evaluation" part of the camp is NOT for kids on an existing team/roster. All teams need to be at the evaluation, but only the new/pool players are being evaluated (see above question). All teams take part, so coaches of each team can evaluate players based on comparable skill level. Raptors Football does NOT "blow up" teams contrary to any rumors, and in fact encourages our teams to stay together throughout their time within our program. For further information on this process, please see our policy and procedures that can be found under our "forms" tab.

The football season generally starts the beginning of August with the regular season ends at the end of October. Play-offs and Super Bowl can take you into the first 2 weeks of November. The first Regular Season game is the last Saturday in August. The teams will be announced and players contacted by Coaches. There will be games and practices during Fall Break, please plan accordingly.

Spring workouts start May 1st. If you are new to Raptors Football and not currently assigned to a team, you will be contacted by your "age group leader" who will advise you when Spring workouts for your age group will start. If you are already assigned to a Raptors Football team, you have the option of doing Spring workouts with your current coach (can depend on coach). These will take place once a week for approximately 2 hours. These workouts are all non-padded and there is no contact. These are done to get all players re-acclimated to doing football movements and for conditioning purposes.

Raptors Football Parent Code of Conduct

1. Understand the coach and team philosophy. If you don't know the goals of the team (for example, player development versus competition), ask them to be spelled out at

the Parent meeting.

2. Send your children ready to play. They should be properly fed and clothed, and they should arrive on time. Players need to ensure they make it to practice, the safety of the other players depend on everyone being there.

3. Support the team, but do not instruct nor attempt to coach the players. It confuses your child and others, and undermines the efforts of the coach. Many times the coach may be asking your child to do something completely different from what you think.

4. Avoid confusion when cheering. Do not say anything that is a command, such as

"Pass it," "Run Run," or "Boot the ball."

5. Use positive encouragement instead. This would include such comments as "Way to go," "Nice effort," or "Stay with it."

6. Completely refrain from speaking to officials, unless it is to say thank you after the game. If you have questions or concerns with the referees, relay the information to the parent manager, who will take it to the coach.

7. Speak to the coach at the proper time. If you have concerns, use the telephone. If it

is about a game, let the dust settle for at least 24hrs and then schedule time to talk to the coach after a practice.

8. Report to the coach all injuries, special medical conditions (such as asthma) or

extenuating circumstances (such as lack of sleep or family crisis) that may affect the player.

9. Raptor coaches, families, and fans are expected to maintain a high level of

sportsmanship at all times. (Foul or inappropriate language, gesturing, or derisive comments about any player, coach, or opponent will not be tolerated.) If this is a problem, you will be asked to leave practice/games. If the behavior continues you will not be allowed at any team functions/events.

10. It is never appropriate to speak to an opposing teams’ players unless it is to cheer or congratulate them. Any heckling, chiding or mocking, speech/behavior will immediately result in you being asked to leave the sports complex, field, facility, etc.

11. Similarly, it is never appropriate to heckle, chide, or mock, yell at, curse at or

degrade a coach or AYL representative. Any speech or behavior or this nature will

immediately result in you being asked to leave the sports complex, field, facility, etc.

12. If you have issues that you need to have addressed, please follow the 24-hour rule

before approaching your team head coach. If resolution cannot be achieved, please reach out to the Director of Raptors Football for assistance.

13. Football is a TEAM sport. Linemen are just as important (if not more) that the

quarterback. Your child will be put in a position that benefits the TEAM first. If your child has a desire to try something else, Coaches will do their best to accommodate the request, but nothing is guaranteed. It will be team first with all things position related.

14. Raptors Athletics/Football reserves the right to refuse/cancel/deny service of any

parent/family member who does not abide by this agreement. In addition, not abiding by this agreement, Raptors Athletics/Football reserves the right to dismiss any parent/family member before/during or after the season for conduct detrimental to the

team/club without a refund. In addition, Raptors Athletics/Football reserves the right to refuse future service of any parent/family member who has been dismissed from any athletic program offered by Raptors Athletics.

15. Raptors and/or the AYL participating clubs own the permits for all fields and facilities that practices or games are conducted upon. Raptors reserve the right to have anyone removed from these facilities for violation of any of these or the AYL codes of conduct.

16. I understand as a parent that any misconduct or unruly behavior can lead to a league (AYL) or club (Raptors) fine. If a fine does incur, I agree to pay such fine in full within 5 days of receiving notification of the fine. Failure to do so may lead to future fines,dismissal from future Raptors registrations (without a refund), and possible dismissal from all AYL / Raptors programs.

COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT

THE POSITION OF HEAD COACH IS A PRIVILEGE (NOT A RIGHT) GRANTED, APPOINTED OR REVOKED SOLELY AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL FOR RAPTORS ATHLETICS.

RAPTORS ATHLETICS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SUSPEND, REVOKE OR TERMINATE ANY COACHING APPOINTMENT AT ANY TIME AND FOR ANY REASON WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE

REGARDLESS OF THE DATE OR LENGTH OF APPOINTMENT. 

AS A RAPTORS FOOTBALL COACH, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO A BOND (AMOUNTS MAY VARY).

THIS BOND IS TO ENSURE THAT ANY GEAR CHECKED OUT FROM THE RAPTORS ORGANIZATION

IS RETURNED. IN ADDITION, THROUGHOUT THE SEASON THERE ARE TIMES WHEREBY ACTIONS

OR INACTIONS OF A COACH MAY RESULT IN A FINE THE LEAGUE. EXAMPLES OF THESE FINES

ARE; NOT TURNING IN A WEEKLY BLUE SHEET, GETTING EJECTED FROM A GAME, CHEATING

DURING A CONTEST, VIOLATING THE AYL RULES OF CONTACT, HOLDING PRACTICES OUTSIDE OF

APPROVED DATES AND GUIDELINES, ETC. IF A SITUATION WERE TO ARISE WHERE THE RAPTORS

ORGANIZATION WERE TO RECEIVE A FINE FROM THE AYL OR IF CHECKED OUT FOOTBALL GEAR WERE TO BE RETURNED DAMAGED OR NOT RETURNED AT ALL, THE BOND CHECK WILL BE CASHED TO COMPENSATE THE ORGANIZATION FOR YOUR ACTION/INACTION. AS A RAPTORS FOOTBALL COACH, I AGREE THAT ANY FINES I MAY INCUR OR DAMAGED/LOST EQUIPMENT WILL BE COMPENSATED FOR OUT OF THE BOND CHECK THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR

PROVIDING.

AS A COACH FOR RAPTORS ATHLETICS YOUTH SPONSORED SPORTS PROGRAMS, I AGREE TO ABIDE BY AND PROMOTE THE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR COACHES LISTED BELOW. I UNDERSTAND THAT FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE STANDARDS WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION,

REVOCATION AND/OR TERMINATION OF MY COACHING PRIVILEGES BY RAPTORS ATHLETICS. I UNDERSTAND THAT ANY SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION MAY BE AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL.

1. DISPLAY GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AT ALL TIMES. LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

2. PROVIDE POSITIVE COMMENTS FOR GOOD PLAY AND EFFORT.

3. ENCOURAGE PLAYERS TO BE GOOD WINNERS AND ACCEPT LOSSES WITH GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP. SHOW RESPECT FOR THE GAME.

4. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THIS IS YOUTH SPORTS AND THE GAME IS FOR THE CHILDREN AND NOT THE ADULTS.

5. ENCOURAGE LOVE OF THE GAME, RESPECT FOR GAME OFFICIALS AND COMPETITORS, AND TEACH SOUND FUNDAMENTALS AND TECHNIQUE FOR SKILL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

6. ALL HEAD COACHES AND ASSISTANT COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE RAPTORS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES EVERY YEAR.

7. ALL HEAD COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THEIR TEAMS AND THE FAMILIES OF THOSE OF COME TO CHEER FOR THEIR TEAM.

8. ALL HEAD COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR READING AND FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE AYL FOOTBALL RULES, WHICH IN CERTAIN GRADES AND IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM FOOTBALL RULES OUTSIDE OF THE AYL.

PROHIBITIVE BEHAVIOR FOR COACHES.

1. ANY UN-SPORTSMANLIKE COMMENTS OR BEHAVIOR.

2. ANY OF HARASSING OF REFEREES.

3. ANY HARASSING OF OPPOSING AND OWN COACHES OR SPECTATORS.

4. ANY USE OF PROFANITY.

5. BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR ILLEGAL DRUGS.

6. ANY PHYSICAL AND/OR VERBAL THREATS TO ANYONE IN ATTENDANCE.

7. ANY DIRECT OR INDIRECT CRITICISM OF OPPOSING PLAYERS.

ALL HEAD COACHES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE RAPTORS ATHLETICS FOOTBALL CODE OF CONDUCT RULES.

A NOTE FROM DOUGLAS COUNTY

TO ALL RAPTORS ATHLETICS YOUTH FAMILIES: DOUGLAS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY STRICTLY PROHIBITS ANY AND ALL USE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND ALCOHOL IN OR AROUND SCHOOL FACILITIES AND SCHOOL PROPERTY. THIS INCLUDES INDOOR AREAS SUCH AS GYMNASIUMS, HALLWAYS, RESTROOMS, ENTRYWAYS AND DOORWAYS; AND ALL OUTSIDE

AREAS INCLUDING EXTERIOR DOORWAYS, BLEACHERS, FIELD SIDELINES, DUGOUTS AND PARKING LOTS. VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY COULD RESULT IN SUSPENSION OF OUR USE OF THE SCHOOL FIELDS FOR PRACTICES AND FOR GAMES. FOR EVERYONE'S COMFORT AND SAFETY, WE WOULD STRONGLY ASK YOUR COOPERATION IN REFRAINING FROM SUCH USAGE AT ALL OTHER FIELDS AND FACILITIES WHILE OUR CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES ARE IN PROGRESS.

 AS REQUIRED BY COLORADO LAW, THIS TRAINING IS REQUIRED ANNUALLY FOR ALL COACHES AND ASSISTANT COACHES

Effective Jan 1, 2012, Colorado's Jake Snakenberg Youth Sports Concussion Act (SB11-040) requires coaches of all youth organized sports complete concussion recognition education annually. Further, if the coach suspects a youth athlete has sustained a concussion, the coach must immediately remove the athlete from play, and the athlete cannot return to practice or play until evaluated by a licensed health care provider and received written clearance to return to play. The bill provides limited immunity to volunteer coaches and other individuals who assist as volunteers for youth athletic activities and to members of the board of directors or governing boards of a school district, private club, or recreation facility.

Raptors will provide Coaches with resources to complete USA Football Certifications on an annual basis. All Coaches and Assistant Coaches are required to complete and provide proof of certification.

Upon registration, your age group leaders will email you about Preseason Workouts. If for some reason you do not hear from them, please use the below contact information to find out when and where your workouts will be!

1st & 2nd: Derick Viarrial - derick@raptorsathletics.org

3rd grade: Bradd Bieshaar - d2bieshaar@gmail.com

4th grade: Dylan Huyck - dylan@allaroundfireandsafety.com

5th grade: 

6th grade: Jeremy Zornes - jeremyzornes@yahoo.com

7th grade: Derick Viarrial - derick@raptorsathletics.org

8th grade: Billy Marsh - btmarsh2006@gmail.com