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YONKERS, N.Y. Football teams from Yonkers, Roosevelt, Lincoln and Riverside high schools battled through the early afternoon Thursday in a four-team scrimmage at Lincoln High School.
Rob Bannister, Lincoln's head coach and host of the all-Yonkers scrimmage, hoped to give the city's football players an opportunity to meet on the field to build the football community.
"We wanted to have the local teams here to get some work before we all go out to more scrimmages this weekend," Bannister said. "We made it a little more appealing by having lunch and background music. It turned out very well."
With many of the players either neighbors or former schoolmates, the Yonkers rivalries are intense, but there was a feeling of camaraderie as the coaches worked to get their players prepared for season-opening games on Sept. 8.
"I moved back here from Peekskill," junior defensive lineman Travon Jackson said. "I know some of the other players, but having a chance to practice (today) helps us when we start playing games. We're getting better and better."
Each team rotated offensive and defensive sets against the three other squads, with players and fans encouraging the players through the warm but comfortable weather.
"We want to get our assignments down so we don't get caught out of position," said Tyshawn Crossland, Roosevelt defensive end and fullback. "We want to learn to be a winning team. A lot of us play both sides of the ball, so we have to be ready to play."
The scrimmages lasted for nearly three hours before the teams broke practice for sandwiches and hot dogs served by the Lincoln coaching staff.
"Yonkers is trying to build its football programs," Bannister said. "I played here and most of the coaches did, too. We're all learing a lot and trying to teach the kids as much football as we can."
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