The Lake Stevens youth football players made the sport look like so much fun, a few of their mothers decided they wanted to give it a try.
A group of moms with kids on Lake Stevens youth football teams have organized a game against some Arlington football moms this Saturday At Haller Middle School in Arlington at 5 p.m. The Valkyries’ — which the mothers named themselves — goal is to raise money for the Lake Stevens’ youth football teams.
“It’s been so fun. I’ve met so many different moms doing it,” said Valkyries quarterback Jessica Robinson, whose 12 year-old son Allen Robinson, Jr. plays on a Lake Stevens youth team. “It’s always been my favorite sport so to be able to learn how to do it and to understand the plays and defensive schemes has been really fun.”
The Lake Stevens Valkyries are suiting up for the second time. Last year, they defeated the Marysville Toma-mommas 7-0 in a “defensive battle” and raised $6,000. The games involve full gear, involve full-contact blocking and have been known to get a bit physical.
“Last year I took the kickoff and a lady came and just laid me out,” Robinson said. “It’s a 15-yard penalty if you do that. I think they were trying to intimidate us a little bit. It’s definitely full contact. I was sore the next day and covered in bruises for two weeks.”
The Lake Stevens youth league is comprised of players from 5-years old to 14. The mothers of cheerleaders — who put on a show at halftime — are also eligible to join the Valkyries.
Robinson said the Lake Stevens mothers have had two-hour practices, three or four days per week as they prepare for their second game in as many years. She knows that Marysville and Lakewood also have teams, and that there was talk of the Monroe and Kamiak youth leagues starting teams comprised of players’ mothers.
The Valkyries quarterback hopes more teams join in the future so that her team can play more than one game per summer.
“I would love to see more moms put teams together,” said Robinson. “I think it’s such a great bonding experience. It’s fun to know a bunch of parents from a bunch of Lake Stevens’ teams.”
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