HURON JR CHIEFS
FOOTBALL & CHEER
FAQ
Please contact the Huron Jr Chiefs with any additional questions about the program at [email protected].
General Information
What grades can participate in HJC Football & Cheer?
Cheer is offered for athletes 4 years old (must turn 4 by 9/1) through 6th grade
Divisions
Minis: 4 yrs old – Young 5s
Flag K-1st Grade
Flag 2nd Grade
JV 3rd & 4th Grade
Varsity 5th & 6thGrade
Flag Football is offered for K-2nd Grade athletes
Divisions
Flag K-1st Grade
Flag 2nd Grade
Tackle Football is offered for athletes in 3rd -6th Grade
Divisions
JV 3rd & 4th Grade
Varsity 5th & 6th Grade
Can my child play for HJC if we do not attend school in the Huron District?
Yes, HJC welcomes athletes from other districts.
Registration
How do I register my athlete?
Registration opens on March 16th. Registration can be done online at https://tshq.bluesombrero.com/huronjrchiefs
Payment can be made online via credit or debit card. If you prefer to pay via check or cash, please select “check” at checkout. All cash/check payments must be made at the In Person Registration held on May 16th at The Shop in New Boston (time TBD). No exceptions. If payment is not received at the In Person Registration, the athletes roster spot will be forfeited.
When does registration close?
Registration will close on May 16th, however it is important to register early to ensure a roster spot for your athlete. There are a limited number of roster positions available in each division. Once a division has reached capacity, a waitlist will be started. Waitlist athletes will be contacted via email as positions become available and payment will be due via credit/debit card online within 24 hours of notification. This ensures all our athletes that want to play are given an opportunity in a timely manner.
What is the registration fee?
Flag Football - $160
Cheer (all divisions) - $190Tackle Football - $200
Please note that there is a $3 service fee applied to all orders (even check/cash payments).
What does the cost cover?
· Cheer cost covers program operational costs and a uniform that the athlete keeps at the end of the season. The uniform for females includes a shell, long sleeved liner, skirt, and bow. Male uniforms are available as well.
· Flag football cost covers a personalized jersey that the athlete keeps at the end of the season, the use of flag belts during practices and games, and program operational costs.
· Tackle football cost covers a personalized jersey that the athlete keeps at the end of the season, the use of our helmets, shoulder pads, practice jersey, practice pants, game pants and program operation costs.
What are operational costs?
Operational costs include custodial fees for use of the field & building use, concession usage, payment of the referees, insurance for each athlete, and equipment such as helmets, shoulder pads, practice uniforms, flags, cones and other coaching needs.
My son/daughter really wants to participate; however, our family is going through a financial hardship. Does HJC offer scholarships or assistance?
HJC offers partial & full scholarships to cover registration fees. Please email [email protected] to request an application. Scholarship applicants must still register for the season to secure their roster spot (choose check for payment until scholarships are awarded).
My athlete wants to be on the same team as their friend; do you take buddy requests?
We understand why buddy requests are important to families, and we know kids love being on a team with their friends. However, HJC uses a draft system to build teams as evenly as possible. This helps ensure balanced competition across the league and a better experience for all athletes. It also allows us to properly fill roles on each team, whether that’s having enough linemen in football or enough bases/flyers in cheer, so every team can function safely and successfully.
Other Needs
What additional equipment will my child need?
Cheerleaders are required to supply white no-show socks, white cheer shoes appropriate for stunting, and black briefs/boy cut shorts (not to exceed the length of the cheer uniform skirts). Warmups are optional and will be available for purchase from our Spirit Store.
Flag Football athletes will need a mouthguard. Cleats are optional but recommended.
Tackle Football athletes will need a mouthguard, athletic cup (male athletes), socks and cleats. Visors & backplates are optional. Only clear helmet visors are permitted. Per MHSAA rules, tinted visors are not permitted during practices or games. Back plates must be covered by the athlete’s jersey.
All athletes will need to come to practice with their equipment, proper clothing based on weather, and plenty of water.
Does my child need a physical?
Yes, all athletes are required to have a physical on file BEFORE the start of conditioning. Per MHSAA rules, physicals MUST be dated after April 15, 2026. Physicals should be emailed to [email protected].
What is a volunteer check and when/why is it required?
We require that all athletes submit a volunteer check at uniform fitting. Each athlete is required their own check, made out to Huron Jr Chiefs for $200, post-dated to 10/31/2026 with the athlete’s name/division written in the notes section. Athletes will not get their uniforms until the volunteer check is received. Money orders & cash are also excepted.
Each athlete’s family is required to volunteer during two games per athlete throughout the season. If you have one athlete, the volunteer requirement is 2 games. If you have 3 athletes, the volunteer requirement is 6 games. There will be many opportunities to volunteer (over 500 last season) which include helping in concessions, donations table, chains, clock runner, announcer, and many more. Away teams always compliment Huron on how great our game days are and that wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers!
Checks will be returned to those who have completed their volunteer time at equipment turn in. If your family chooses not to volunteer, your check will be cashed at the end of the season as a donation to the Jr Chiefs.
Where can I get Huron Jr Chiefs merchandise?
An online spirit store will be opening this summer where you can purchase merchandise. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and email for more details. Merchandise will also be available at equipment fitting and on game days!
Equipment & Uniforms
When is fitting day?
Exact dates are still in the works, but we are planning for dates between May 30th & June 6th for fittings. All athletes, both cheer & football, must be fitted for a uniform. Tackle football players will receive their shoulder pads, practice jersey, practice & game pants at the fitting. Helmets are in for required conditioning and will either be distributed on fitting day or prior to the start of the season.
When will we get uniforms?
Uniforms typically arrive the end of August and will be distributed as soon as they arrive.
When is equipment turn in?
At the conclusion of the season, a date will be determined for equipment turn in, including coaches bags return. Cheerleaders keep their uniforms. All football players keep their personalized jersey.
Tackle football players must return their helmet, shoulder pads, practice & game pants, and practice jersey. Failure to do so will result in the volunteer check being cashed to cover the cost of the equipment.
Coaching
I’d like to coach my son/daughter, what steps do I need to take?
If you have an interest in coaching, please fill out the Coach Interest Form linked below. Submitting this form does not guarantee a coaching position and is not a formal registration. When coach registration opens on March 16th, interested individuals will be required to officially register. All interested coaches are required to register by May 16th. Coach assignments will be determined by the Board of Directors based on team needs and league guidelines.
Football Coach Interest Form: https://forms.gle/wNqffEKJcYUjWDzVA
Cheer Coach Interest Form: https://forms.gle/11YvZc5Mb1SnoaCP6
Because of the extensive time commitment required from our coaches, volunteer requirements are waived for athletes of coaches, as long as the coach has completed the season. Volunteer checks still need to be submitted.
All coaches are required to pass a background check and complete Concussion Training.
I have athletes in two separate divisions, can I coach both?
Simple answer, yes. However, coaches are required to attend at least 50% of practices and games for their team.
The Season
When does conditioning start?
Specific conditioning dates and locations are still being worked out, but here is a general idea of what to expect. Conditioning will begin the week of August 3rd and will run for two weeks.
Cheer conditioning will begin the week of August 3rd. Minis and Flag K-1 generally condition two days per week, while JV & Varsity generally condition three days per week.
Flag Football conditioning will begin the week of August 3rd. Flag football generally conditions 4 days per week.
Tackle Football conditioning will begin the week of August 3rd (helmet, practice jersey, shorts). Tackle football conditions 5 days per week, Monday-Friday. Conditioning with full pads will begin August 10th.
What days/times are practices?
Teams will be formed mid-August and from there, practice days/times are determined by each coach based on availability.
Cheer practice days/times vary by division ranging from once to three times per week.
Flag Football generally practices on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6pm-8pm. Some coaches opt for a once-a-week practice as the season progresses as well as shorter practices due to losing daylight.
Tackle Football teams are permitted to practice 5 days per week (Monday-Friday) until school starts. Once school starts, teams practice three days per week between Monday-Thursday. Practice times are determined by each coach but are typically 6pm-8pm, with times changing to 5:30pm-7:30pm as the season progresses due to losing daylight.
We have an August vacation scheduled, and my athlete will miss conditioning or practices. Is this ok?
Family time is important! Take the vacation! Please let coaches know of any absences. If tackle athletes miss the first week of conditioning, they will have a delayed start to full pads. While HJC encourages family time, there is a lot to learn for the athletes as they prepare for the start of the season, so missing conditioning/practices may put your athlete behind. HJC encourages open communication between coaches and parents to get athletes that may have missed practices up to speed on expectations, plays, or cheers.
When are games?
Quick answer, Saturdays. Games will begin September 12th and run through October 24th. An official schedule will be released closer to the season.
Flag games are typically early morning (8:40am start), with JV games mid-afternoon, and Varsity games late afternoon. If the schedule allows, Huron likes to host night games for as many of our teams as possible.
Where are games?
Games will be played at local fields; Huron High School, Airport High School, Jefferson High School, St. Charles, Trenton Middle School & High School, & Monroe High School. Huron offers to host every week, however with the number of teams in HJC, teams will be traveling to away fields during the season.
Is there an end of season celebration?
Yes! The end of season celebration is typically the week after the last game where athletes receive their awards and are recognized on the football field.
What is Cheer Fest?
Cheer Fest is an end of the season showcase just for the cheer teams! It is hosted by Airport High School and is an awesome day dedicated to our cheerleaders. Teams will perform their routine on the mat, with JV & Varsity teams competing against other league teams.