Plum youth football adjusting after moving to United Youth Football League

The Plum Midget Football Association was on the move again in the spring as it transitioned from the Big East Youth Football League to the United Youth Football League which features teams throughout the north hills of Pittsburgh.

League president Matt Palermo said the decision was not taken lightly but was done with the best interest of the players in mind.

“There was no secret that we had a rough year in the Big East,” Palermo said of the 2024 season. “We were in the former AYFL prior to that. We sat down and discussed that we wanted to keep a competitive league still and something where we weren’t traveling too far. We’re right in between the Big East and the United league, geographically.

“Also, the age and weight limits of (the UYFL) aligned a little better to kind of what we’ve been used to. We just felt (the move) would be something that was good for the organization. It is challenging to move leagues, but we hope that we’ve found a home.”

With those changes, Palermo said he likes the way the organization has grown over the past several months to arrive at the season, and he also appreciates the way the organization’s teams continue to take positive steps forward.

“All of the teams are working hard to improve, and we feel the kids are out here competing every day,” Palermo said.

“Across the board, we’ve been pretty satisfied with the progression of our kids and our teams. The coaches have shown that dedication to not only have the kids improve their skills but to also give them the love of football and to have fun being out here with their friends.”

Plum players were placed on a team based on both age and weight requirements.

The Colts (ages 7-8) have a 110-pound limit, while the Stallions (ages 9-10) have a limit of 130 pounds.

The Little Mustangs (ages 11-12) are at a 155-pound limit.

Plum completed Week 4 on Sept. 13 with games against Fox Chapel.

The Colts improved to 2-2 with a 33-0 win over Fox Chapel. They also own a 26-6 victory over Seneca Valley Blue.

The Stallions started 1-3 with a win in a close matchup with North Hills, 18-12, on Sept. 6.

The Little Mustangs (0-4) were hoping to break through Saturday as the Plum teams traveled to Avonworth.

The three games were to be contested past the deadline for this week’s edition.

The Little Mustangs were the lone team to make the BEYFL playoffs last year. They won their first playoff game but fell in the semifinals.

“There are a lot of competitive teams in the United league, and we like to see that,” Palermo said.

“Some organizations like North Allegheny, Mars, and Seneca Valley are larger, and they have two or three teams which they make sure are split competitively. It is a very balanced league.”

The top eight teams in each division make the playoffs. The eight-game regular season ends Oct. 11.

The Plum teams and the cheerleaders will be recognized Friday before the Plum varsity football home game against Penn-Trafford. The football and cheerleading seniors also will be recognized before Saturday’s series of games against Butler at the PMFA fields along Ross Hollow Road.

The seniors to be honored are Jack Bonura, Dominic DeGrano, Patrick Klink, Aiden Mascaro, Zachary Washington, Levi Watson, Arianna Yanity, Mara Klipa, Madeline Kimmel, and Davina Brooks

“It’s always a special day and also emotional when we get to recognize these kids for their dedication to their friends and to the organization,” Palermo said.

“That is what we want all the kids to strive for, to be in this organization for six or seven years and grow with each year before moving on to older Plum teams. We want to be that feeder program for the kids to love and grow in the game of football and continue their careers in high school and beyond.”

The connection to the high school program, PMFA vice president Joe Klipa said, continues to be a strong one.

“When you see many of the kids do well at the varsity level, you remember them running around down here in practice and games,” Klipa said.

“A couple of them that came down here for our bonfire celebration, I barely recognized them. They’ve grown so much. It was special to have the varsity team down here interacting with our kids. That connection is so important.”

Palermo said that one of the really good things about the Big East was their established flag football program for those ages 5 and 6.

Plum, he said, maintains that team in solid standing. The UYFL does not have an official flag division, although some of the bigger organizations in the league have flag teams.

“When we made the change, our aim and goal was to make sure we continued with the flag program because we know how important it is for introducing the youngest kids to the basics of the game,” Palermo said.

“I love that we have that rich tradition. We have some buy-in from the (UYFL), and we’re hoping to continue showing them what that’s all about. We’ve been able to have a complete season for those kids with some games against teams in the UYFL and also against some Big East teams like Gateway and Penn-Trafford. We are excited to continue to introduce it to the UYFL.”