Hopatcong Warriors Getting Ready for Season

Tristian Caplan tried on his first set of Hopatcong Warriors shoulder pads Monday night.

But he won't be the only one gearing up for the upcoming youth football season over the next few days.

The Warriors, Hopatcong's non-profit football organization, held its first night of equipment distribution at Narticong Field Monday. The Warriors will also distribute equipment and hold sign-ups Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the same location.

"It's a lengthy process," Warriors General Trustee Dave Barella said. "It's easy because it's organized. But it takes a couple of hours every night to get all the sides of the program suited up."

Dozens of kids showed up Monday evening, jamming into the equipment room's entrance as Warriors officials doled out padding.

The program's biggest issue on Monday?

"Not getting everybody here," Barella said. "Then we have to hand out the equipment when the season starts. We want to start our practices as soon as possible."

Caplan, 13, was excited to begin playing.

"I'll probably lose a lot of weight and I'll probably be better about my body," said Tristian Caplan, who was with his brother, Brandon, 11.

Their father, Mark Caplan, played high school football in Livingston before moving on to Division 3 Ashland College, where he was a defensive end.

"I'm proud to see both of them play," Mark Caplan said. "Anything they wanted to do, I never really pushed them into it. I stood behind their decision."

Brian Garland, 13, couldn't wait to get the season underway. When asked about his favorite part of football, Garland responded: "Hitting people."

"I'm pretty excited," Garland said. "There are going to be new coaches, new positions, new players, new people."

Michelle Yarosz, a fundraising trustee, sold new practice uniforms. Yarosz said the polyester jerseys were safer than most practice shirts because the elastic bands near the sleeves' end prevented kids from jamming or breaking their fingers while tackling.

"We listened to the parents," Yarosz said.

Barella estimated the Warriors program, which also includes youth cheerleading, draws about 400 borough kids a year.

Warriors practice starts on Aug. 2.