Football players start young in Cassville
Cassville Junior Football League members (Mighty-Mites) practice three nights a week, prior to Saturday games, during the fall.
September 15, 2021
Sheila Harris
Future high school football stars can be seen practicing on Cassville’s softball fields on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights during the fall. Open to third through sixth Graders, the Cassville Junior Football League (a.k.a. “Mighty-Mites”) was formed over 20 years ago. Husband and wife directors, Mike and Monzell Hagins, of Cassville, say lessons learned in Mighty Mites often set the foundation for continued football play throughout their high school years.
Secretary-treasurer Monzell Hagins says she is thankful for a community with great moral fiber that is willing to come together to support kids during their formative years.
“Mighty-Mites is an all-volunteer, sponsor-based organization,” she said, “and one which has become multi-generational. We have former players who now have kids who are playing.
“We also have parents and grandparents who volunteer their time to help with Mighty-Mites, even though their own kids and grandkids are no longer involved with the organization,” she added. “Some of our coaches come back year after year to continue coaching. Some boys who once played football or girls who participated in cheerleading are now back to help coach.”
Mighty-Mites isn’t just for boys, the Haginses made clear.
“Girls can play football, too, if they want to,” Monzell Hagins said. “Or, they can be part of one of the four cheerleading squads.”
“Cassville Junior Football is not affiliated with the Cassville School District, but the school and its athletic department are supportive of our program and allows us to use the football field and concession stand for our Saturday home games,” Mike Hagins said.
Cassville High School football coach, Lance Parnell, is the vice-president of the Cassville Junior League Board. Mike Hagins serves as president.
The league hosts a three-day camp and registration event at the Cassville softball fields every July for children who will be in third through sixth grades and is open to kids outside of the Cassville School District.
“We have kids come from Exeter and Purdy,” Monzell Hagins said. “It depends on how willing parents are to drive their kids to practice.”
The Mighty-Mites practice three nights a week for two hours at a time. Games are played on Saturdays during the fall.
The registration fee is $75 per child and covers the cost of equipment rental.
The cost of jerseys and camp T-shirts is covered by area businesses, including Security Bank, Fastrip and Freedom Bank.
For more information, visit “Cassville Mighty-Mite Football” on Facebook.
Sheila Harris
Future high school football stars can be seen practicing on Cassville’s softball fields on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights during the fall. Open to third through sixth Graders, the Cassville Junior Football League (a.k.a. “Mighty-Mites”) was formed over 20 years ago. Husband and wife directors, Mike and Monzell Hagins, of Cassville, say lessons learned in Mighty Mites often set the foundation for continued football play throughout their high school years.
Secretary-treasurer Monzell Hagins says she is thankful for a community with great moral fiber that is willing to come together to support kids during their formative years.
“Mighty-Mites is an all-volunteer, sponsor-based organization,” she said, “and one which has become multi-generational. We have former players who now have kids who are playing.
“We also have parents and grandparents who volunteer their time to help with Mighty-Mites, even though their own kids and grandkids are no longer involved with the organization,” she added. “Some of our coaches come back year after year to continue coaching. Some boys who once played football or girls who participated in cheerleading are now back to help coach.”
Mighty-Mites isn’t just for boys, the Haginses made clear.
“Girls can play football, too, if they want to,” Monzell Hagins said. “Or, they can be part of one of the four cheerleading squads.”
“Cassville Junior Football is not affiliated with the Cassville School District, but the school and its athletic department are supportive of our program and allows us to use the football field and concession stand for our Saturday home games,” Mike Hagins said.
Cassville High School football coach, Lance Parnell, is the vice-president of the Cassville Junior League Board. Mike Hagins serves as president.
The league hosts a three-day camp and registration event at the Cassville softball fields every July for children who will be in third through sixth grades and is open to kids outside of the Cassville School District.
“We have kids come from Exeter and Purdy,” Monzell Hagins said. “It depends on how willing parents are to drive their kids to practice.”
The Mighty-Mites practice three nights a week for two hours at a time. Games are played on Saturdays during the fall.
The registration fee is $75 per child and covers the cost of equipment rental.
The cost of jerseys and camp T-shirts is covered by area businesses, including Security Bank, Fastrip and Freedom Bank.
For more information, visit “Cassville Mighty-Mite Football” on Facebook.
Mike and Monzell Hagins, of Cassville, who have directed the Mighty-Mites for 12 years, are President and Secretary/Treasurer of the Board.
