SULLIVAN COUNTY–– The Red Dogs Youth Football Organization has been a part of the community since the early 2000s, initially practicing and competing in the Hale Eddy and Fremont Center areas. One significant challenge the organization faced was the lack of a dedicated field, which made it difficult for many parents to transport their kids to practices due to the distance. 

However, this situation would change with the help of David Eggelton, the former athletic director at Sullivan West. Kelly Schadt-Kelly, the president of the Red Dogs organization, noted, “We couldn’t have done it without him.” According to Kelly, Eggelton played a huge role in helping the Red Dogs find a field to host their home games. 

Now, all their home games are held at their designated field at the Sullivan West Elementary School in Jeffersonville. And they hold regular practices in Callicoon Center. Kelly believes that this change has significantly contributed to the organization’s enrollment, which has nearly doubled to 60 children.

“The kids even played differently when we got on that field, it meant so much. This year we’ve had the luxury of having a complete offense, defense and more developed plays,” Kelly said.

Another big supporter of this program is Justin Diehl, assistant varsity football coach at Sullivan West. He told the Democrat:   

“The Red Dogs youth football program has done a phenomenal job building the future of the Sullivan West football program, and we hope that it continues for a long time to come. Now more than ever it’s hard for high school sports teams to find athletes, and we firmly believe that the rapid growth of our varsity and modified teams over the last few years is because of the efforts of everybody involved in our youth program.       

We try to intertwine the Red Dogs as much as we can into our varsity season.” Sullivan West players can volunteer to do chains at the Red Dogs home games, and they also recognize all Red Dogs players, cheerleaders and coaches each year at their homecoming game at half time. 

“Although the Red Dogs are not directly affiliated with Sullivan West, they are our future here and they have done a wonderful job helping us create the football community that we have. We’re very proud of all the youth players, cheerleaders and coaches on their amazing seasons and know the future of our program is very bright!”

    This is the Red Dogs second season in Callicoon Center and the organization is now attracting participants from Roscoe, Livingston Manor, Sullivan West and even some from the Bethel area. They are part of the Quad County League which includes Sullivan, Delaware, Broome and Greene Counties. 

Kelly went on to say that “This is the first year the Red Dogs didn’t have to merge with another team due to the growth! In the past the Red Dogs have had to merge for the 6th grade game which is the final game of the season that the Quad County league plays and it includes only 6th grade players.” This season they had 17 sixth graders so they were able to field their own 11-man football team.

Chad Mootz is in his second year as coach with the Red Dogs. He started with flag football and is now coaching the junior tackle team and is excited about the numbers. “We have over 20 plus players on each level and hopefully that will continue. It’s great that we’re a feeder program for schools like Roscoe, Sullivan West and others. When these kids compete at the modified and high school level, they’re ready.”

In addition to increased enrollment head coach Mike Kelly has been able to incorporate new and improved skills and drills, like the importance of positions and more developed plays that he learned from attending youth football clinics. “We have had the privilege to be a part of this program. I believe it’s a huge opportunity for kids to come together, learn to be good teammates and have fun. Being a teammate in life is very important,” he says. 

The players also have the chance to travel to different areas to compete against other teams, which he believes is beneficial for their development. 

For the upcoming season they hope to upgrade their equipment, including shoulder pads, helmets, and coaching clinics for the entire coaching staff. In addition to flag football, the program offers both junior and senior tackle and cheerleading for any child that is interested.

The current board members of the Red Dogs program would like to acknowledge their predecessors, including former board members and coaches. They recognize that the growth and success of the program is largely due to the work of those who came before them. This has encouraged the current members as they strive to develop more and more every year.

Respect all, fear none. Let’s go Red Dogs!