Minutes before his son’s Upward Flag Football debut, Brian Blaum gave his son, Brady, some final pointers and helped him attach the flags defenders pull off to stop a player’s progress.

A half an hour later, Brady took a handoff for the Panthers in the new K-5 division and scooted around the end for a nice run against the Wolverines.

Originally from Pennsylvania, the Blaums learned about Upward while visiting and decided to give the program a try. Brady comes from a football family with his grandfather, uncle and other relatives all once playing for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

“We’ve been throwing the football around and I got him a pee-wee football,” Brian said. “Tonight, I’m going to let him stay up and watch a game with me so he’ll see some of the things he’s learning on TV. He’s seen some older kids playing, and is the oldest of our three boys so we have two more coming.

“He’s having fun and beginning to get a little more competitive but we’re still trying to work on out of bounds and plays.”

Brady’s experience was among many firsts during Opening Day for Upward Football and Cheerleading Sept. 7. Another: Member Will Gibson joined the Upward coaching ranks for the first time to help head coach Chris Fabrizio as his assistant—and spend Saturdays with one of his sons.

“The hardest part is getting them to listen,” Gibson laughed as he prepared to send the “offense” in for their turn on the field.

A season of firsts

New turf, bigger fields turned parallel to the church, and the new Champ power cat mascot greeted the opening day crowds.

In his welcome to the crowd, Upward Football Director Steve Jones—beginning his fifth season as the league’s head—noted the day marked he and his wife, Christy’s, 16th wedding anniversary. She smiled and waved from the concession trailer.

Champ made his entrance before the player introductions. After the Monday Night Football theme blared from the speakers, he rode into view on the back of a golf cart and did a lap around the field. A total of 164 players and cheerleaders took part in the seven Opening Day games.

“I thought the day went great for an Opening Day,“ Jones said. “We had some really close competitive games. The kids and coaches were awesome, the fans in attendance were incredible, and there was such an incredible energy at the field Saturday. CHAMP, our mascot, was a great add for us, too, and we look to get him more involved after his formal introduction to our fans this past week. The field was in near perfect condition, and I think people liked our new layout of the fields.

“Most importantly, I believe Christ was honored. That is the great thing about our program. From coaches to the referees to those who set up and break down to our concession team, everyone has a Christ-centered focus and servant’s heart. Each Saturday, we learn from what didn’t work well and we show up next week to do it better.”

Games resume Sept. 14 at 9:30 a.m., with the last game at 1:15 p.m. between the fifth- and sixth-grade teams. Like to get involved? Jones said the league still needs a few additional referees. No previous experience is required and new referees are paired with veteran refs. Interested? Contact Jones at 817-6144 or upward.football@tbcnow.org.