GRADE SCHOOL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CODE
FEES AND ROSTERS
Due before first league game:
1) Send current league fee to Ray Schaming
2) Send one complete eligibility roster to the Diocesan Football Coordinator
3) One complete roster made out must be given to each of the opposing league
teams at the sectional weigh-ins. THIS IS A MUST.
Section representatives or alternate will attend the opposite sections weigh-in.
4) Number of players on roster is unlimited.
5) There will be two official weigh-ins. At each weigh-in the section representatives will verify
each team’s official roster. The only players that may be added to this roster are:
a. New students entering the school after the first weigh-in
b. Players hospitalized on the day of the weigh-in
c. Players who can submit verification (signed statement from a physician) that they were unable
to attend the official weigh-in because of a serious illness.
After the Diocesan Football Coordinator has investigated these exceptional cases this player may be added to his
team’s official roster. The player must be weighed in by the Wednesday prior to his team’s next scheduled league game.
This applies to the first weigh-in only. The section representative will then notify each team in the section of additions to the official rosters.
Any new student entering the school for the first time not meeting any of the above rules (a, b, c) will be taken under consideration
by the Board of Sectional Representatives.
6) Coaches should have in writing of file at the school: (samples enclosed)
a) Medical certificates for each player.
b) Parent’s permission for each player.
c) Insurance certificate for each player.
RULES J.V. and Varsity teams follow the same rules.
1) Interpretation is that used by the National Federation of State High Schools Association with noted exceptions;
a) Fields are to be played as they are regardless of length.
b) On a kickoff, lineman cannot advance the ball if it is caught 10 yards behind the restraining line:
also, no player weighing over 133 lbs can be positioned behind the receiving team 45 yard line.
c) Quarters will be of 8-minute durations for Varsity and JV. Half time will be 15 minutes.
d) The second game will be scheduled to start 1 hour and 45 minutes after the start of the first game.
e) Three time outs per team will be permitted per half.
f) The home team shall decide whether or not a field is fit for play.
g) Coaches must meet with the officials before the games to discuss rules sand field conditions and secure their names.
h) Any player regardless of his position, weight, or whether he is on offense or defense may advance fumbles and interceptions.
i) All scheduled league games must be played on Friday, Saturday of Sunday. The league Director must
sanction any exception for play on any other day or night and said exception must be for a very valid reason.
If absolutely necessary make-up games will be played on weekdays. Sunday games cannot start before 1:00 pm.
j) Section Representatives must be notified by the home team of any and all changes as to date, time, and place of league games.
k) These rules are to be adhered to rigidly. Any deliberate violation of these rules in the judgment of the
Section Representative and League Director shall mean immediate suspension of the violating schools
for the remainder of the season and all league games shall be forfeited.
l) All coaches must have PA Act 33/34 clearance.
2) Pre-season training
a) THERE SHALL BE NO FOOTBALL PRACTICE BEFORE AUGUST 16TH.
b) A team or part of team may not train or practice as a separate group at any place before August 16th.
c) You may open your gym of field to all school students. NO COACHING NOR PRACTICE IS TO TAKE PLACE.
3) The football shoes worn by all players in the league must be equipped with either rubber or polyethylene cleats.
Any player playing with metal cleats shall be ejected from the game and is not to return for the duration of the game.
The Official League Ball will be the Wilson TDY 1300. (Leather Ball)
1) Players who are not full-time students of a school or who have been
graduated from eighth grade are not eligible.
2) Any player who reaches the age of 15 before October 1 of the current
school year will be ineligible to engage in league competition.
3) A player can only participate 4 (four) years in grades 5 – 8. A review
board made up of section representatives will act upon special
cases.
1) Sections will weigh in all teams. Each Section Representative shall set a time, date and place for all teams
in his section to be weighed in. He shall accordingly notify all of the teams in his section as well as the League Director.
All coaches shall be present at the weigh-ins and have with them one roster for each of the opposing teams plus the one
for the Diocesan Football Coordinator.
1) Any player weighing more than 133 at the first weight in may not play in the backfield or at end on offense / defense.
The weight limit for interior linemen on offense is 139 lbs, except for two (2) boys 139 – 170 lbs inclusive, who must play
center, guard or tackle positions only. Any boy may punt or kick extra points, however, if he is above the weight limit
for the backs or ends (133 lbs) he cannot run with the ball, regardless of circumstances.
.
2) This weight rule does not apply to the defense with the exception of the rule concerning the two boys
between 139 – 170 lbs. There can still only be two boys in this weight bracket playing as the same time,
and they must be no more than one (1) yard off the line of scrimmage, opposite an interior lineman
(center, guard or tackle), and in a 3 or 4 point stance at the snap of the ball. Safety men on defense
cannot exceed 133 lbs. A player weighing in excess of 133 lbs cannot run back punt returns.
3) The first official weigh-in determines the position to be played, as explained about in number 1.
A change in weight after the second weigh-in over 133 lbs cannot play back or end on offense or defense.
4) Inside linebackers (139 lbs max) must be within the offensive tackles at the snap of the ball.
After the second weigh-in, inside linebackers (139 lbs max) must be within the offensive tackles at the snap of the ball.
First Weigh-in Second Weigh-in
Weight up to and including Weight up to and including
Offensive Backs
Defensive Backs 133--------------133
Offensive Ends
Defensive Ends
Inside Linebacker----------------139----------------139
Down Linemen-------------------170----------------170
First Weigh-in Second Weigh-in
Weight up to and including Weight up to and including
Offensive Backs
Defensive Backs 122--------------122
Offensive Ends
Defensive Ends
Inside Linebacker-------------------130-----------130
Down Linemen----------------------162-----------162
A Down Lineman who misses the weight at the first weigh-in, but makes weight at the second weigh-in
may participate in any remaining games.
NOTE: At the first weigh-in, players will only be allowed to be weighed once.
NO second chance at the first weigh in.
Changes to weight classifications will be considered in even years.
If a player participates in only ONE PLAY in an out of weight category, the game will be forfeited,
when brought to the attention of the Diocesan Football Coordinator.
1) Three officials recognized by The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
(PIAA) will be used. The home team will be responsible for paying the officials. Official’s fees will be set each year.
2) Four officials will be used for the Diocesan Championship game at the current rate.
3) An additional $5.00 per official per over-time period will be assessed if needed.
1) Games may not be cancelled or dates may not be changed except by the League Director.
If by mutual agreement a game must be cancelled or a date changed, the Section Representative
must be advised and any change must have his sanction. The League Director must be notified
on any change. The home Team must notify officials and opposing coaching the event of a
cancelled game 2 hours before scheduled time. (The above rule does not apply or repudiate line (f) under “RULES”).
2) Officials will be paid full fee if they are not notified of cancellation. The home team is responsible to cancel officials.
1) All protests submitted in writing by coach to the Diocesan Football
Coordinator.
2) All protests accompanied by $5.00 fee, returned if upheld.
3) Protesting coach must notify official and opposing coach at the point of discussion of his
intention to protest. The Diocesan Football Coordinator must be notified of protest immediately following the game.
4) No protest on “Judgment Plays” by the officials.
5) Time allowed for protests –
a. On player eligibility – until final league game.
b. Game itself – within 3 days following.
1) The Protest Board will be made up of the Sectional Representatives and no
More than 2 additional members to be designated by the Diocesan Football Coordinator, if deemed necessary.
2) Protest board will allow one (1) coach and one (1) priest from each of the
two protesting teams to attend protest meeting. This meeting must be held
within a week following the receipt of a written request.
3) Coaches and priests from the team involved in the protest will be allowed to
present their protest verbally at that time.
4) The Protest Board ahs the power to forfeit a game.
5) The Board will render a decision within 48 hours of the protest meeting and
The involved teams will be notified of the decision.
1) Shall consist of one head coach or assistant coach from each Team.
a. Conduct pre-season sections meeting on code.
b. Attend pre-season board meeting on code.
c. Advise on schedules, sectional arrangements.
d. Shall have the power of suspension up to three (3) years for any violation of these league rules.
e. Meet annually to review and revise, if necessary, existing rules.
f. Rules on teams withdrawing from the League and requesting re-entry into the league.
The number one team in each section will be declared the section champion. The
J.V. and Varsity section winners will play games to determine the Diocesan
Champions.
Should there be a section tie at the end of the regular season, the section winner
will be determined by head to head play.
If a winner cannot be declared by head to head play, then the overtime format will
be used to determine the section winner. In the event of a three way tie, a neutral
site will be used by Wednesday of the week following the last playing date. A
coin flip(s) will be used to determine one of the teams to be a “bye” team for the
first overtime session. The loser of the first overtime session will play the “bye”
team. The loser of each overtime session will play the next overtime session as
needed to determine an ultimate winner. The three teams will play each other
until two of the teams each have two losses.
The Diocesan Football Coordinator will award trophies to each Varsity and J.V.
Section winners and J.V. and Varsity Diocesan Champions.