CLEARWATER, Fla. - While other kids their age are playing video games or watching TV, the Countryside Jr. Cougars are outside getting dirty. 

So, OK all you boomers barking for children to get outside and play. These kids do. 

The Cougars season is quickly approaching so these players are getting ready. They’re putting in the work on the field with weekly conditioning workouts and soon games. 

This league has teams ranging in ages from 6 to 14. The 8 and under team recently won their Super Bowl.

“We got lucky,” head coach Chris Madrishin said. “We’ve got a bunch of good kids. They stay focused. They know what the goal is. We all have the same goal.”

Some of these kids don’t come much. They don’t have a lot. But they have football. And that’s all they need.

“They enjoy it,” Coach Chris said. “They enjoy playing with each other. It’s a lot of fun to watch.”

They play for a variety of reasons. Anthony Reviere, an offensive lineman on the 8 and under team, likes the Buffalo Bills. Why? He likes their colors. Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is his favorite player. 

As for football, the sport gives him a kinship he doesn’t get anywhere else.

“I get to play with a team and I get to play with my friends,” Anthony said.

There is a challenge to coaching kids this young. Their attention spans are limited. But Coach Chris says when it comes to football, they’re all in.

“Keeping them all engaged, making sure you’re letting every kid have an opportunity so they all stay engaged,” Coach Chris said.

This is more than learning X’s and O’s. These kids are learning about confidence and camaraderie and self worth. 

It will be about a month before they play their first game. But already, these guys are winning.

“Making them all feel one team,” Coach Chris said. “You don’t ever want one player to feel that he’s not as important as the next guy. So you try to make every kid realize every one of you has your own importance to the team.”