The Crusaders contact football program is open to young men between the ages of 13 and 18 living near Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, SW Raleigh, and the surrounding areas of central North Carolina.
1) Age Groups. The following age groups are available for the upcoming season:
- Junior Varsity (15U) Tackle Football 13-15 (No Weight Limit)
- Varsity (18U) Tackle Football 16-18 (No Weight Limit)
Players can choose to play up to an age group at a higher level with AD/parent approval. However, no players will be able to play down to a lower level.
2) Player ID. Players will need to have a DMV/Military ID to participate in the league this season.
3) Varsity Game Schedule starts August 26th. The regular Varsity 8 game season will officially begin on Aug 26 and run through Oct 28 with playoffs running through November. The location and games times for the following events will be published in the coming weeks.
- Aug 26 v North Raleigh Christian Academy (Clayton)
- Sept 16 v Wake Prep Academy (Clayton)
- Sept 23 v Ravenscroft Ravens (Raleigh)
- Sept 30 v Carolina Bearcats (Charlotte)*
- Oct 7 v Virginia Spartans (Axton)*
- Oct 14 v Sandhills Titans (Clayton)*
- Oct 21 v North Wake Saints (Clayton)*
- Oct 28 v Hickory Hawks (Hickory)*
- Nov 04 NCIAA 1st round playoffs (location TBD)
- Nov 11 NCIAA 2nd round playoffs (location TBD)
- Nov 18 NCIAA Championship (location TBD)
- Dec 1 End of Season banquet and awards celebration (@Hope Community Church - Apex Campus)
Note: * indicates official NCIAA regular season games
4) Junior Varsity Game Schedule. The Junior Varsity schedule will run through the same period as the Varsity team. The Specific games are still in progress of being coordinated among the NCIAA league coaches and ADs and will be published soon.
5) Practice Field. Official practices during the season are held every Tues and Thursday from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at our practice field on 6832 Pierce Olive Rd. in Apex, NC
6) Conditioning Drills start July 12th, We follow the NCHSAA guidelines for the league which requires a minimum 5 full days of conditioning prior to making contact in pads. This year official conditioning drills for both Varsity and JV will begin on Tuesday, July 12th, and will continue for three weeks every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at our practice field on 6832 Pierce Olive Rd. in Apex, NC.
7) Full Contact Practice starts August 2nd. Once the conditioning period is complete, pads, helmets, and uniforms will be distributed to start full contact practices on August 2nd. Full Contact practice will will continue every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm at our practice field on 6832 Pierce Olive Rd. in Apex, NC until the official first game on August 26th.
8) Preseason Conditioning. Players/coaches are encouraged to meet on their own prior to the start of official practice drills on July 12th to work on drills/conditioning, but no formal practices will be held before this date. We strongly recommend having a medical physical exam for each player prior to the beginning of the season.
9) Registration fees. The registration fee for the 2022 season is $325.00. And Early Bird discount of $50 will be available until July 1st prior to start of official conditioning drills. If you register during the Early Bird period you can you also can take advantage of the 3-payment plan.
10) Volunteer Opportunities. During the registration process, you will encounter an option to volunteer in some way during the season (assisting with equipment management, league banquet, water distribution , score keeping, statistics, photography, game video and more). It takes a small army to ensure things run smoothly throughout the season and your help is much needed and greatly appreciated!