On a cold Tuesday night in Englewood, whistles cut through the air as the Lions youth football team lined up under the lights.
It’s only the second year for the Englewood Lions youth football program and they’ve already won just about everything in their path. Their trophy case has conference, state and regional championships.
Now, they’re chasing their biggest goal yet, a national championship.
But for the people who built this team, it was never just about trophies.
“There’s a lot of kids in this community just going down the wrong path,” said Kola Parks Jr., vice president of the Englewood Lions. “As a Black man you know you want to make an impact on young Black males growing up and show them the right path.”
Many of the players on the roster have grown up facing tough odds.
Coaches say the majority come from low-income households. A lot are being raised by single mothers or grandmothers. On the field, though, none of that matters. It does not define them.
“We putting in the right work for these kids, showing them the right guidance,” said Jalen Erving, president of the Englewood Lions. “They all tough… they have the heart of a lion.”
The smallest star with the biggest heart is the team’s secret weapon. Antoine Washington at just 4-foot-5, the 12-year-old running back has become one of the Lions’ most electric playmakers.
“I like to juke, truck, and I run hard,” Antoine said, grinning.
His dad tells coaches Antoine holds back a little in practice, saving his best moves for game day.
The Lions also lean on a young leader under center. Their quarterback, 13-year-old Judah Israel. He already understands the weight of what this run could mean.
“We’ve been working towards this goal since about February, soit means a lot,” Judah Said.
A big dream, and an expensive one.
To make it to nationals, the team needs more than grit and a good game plan. They need money.
The Lions are trying to raise $25,000 by December 14 to cover travel and tournament costs. It’s a long shot, but it’s far from a Hail Mary.
“It would mean the world,” Coach Parks Jr. said. “We spent timeless hours putting in work, timeless hours giving them rides to these kids… it’s going to be a hood trophy, you know?”
The ask from the staff is simple: believe in them.
“Just believe in us,” a coach said. “You believe in us, we’ll bring you back the reward that you’re looking for,” Parks Jr. said.
Donations to the Englewood Lions can be made here.
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