It’s a youth movement Mickey Marley has never dealt with before while coaching football, but it’s something he is enjoying.

In his first year as head football coach at Rosenwald Middle School in Trenton, Marley’s roster consists of 40 players – 28 seventh graders and 12 eighth graders.

“It’s a pretty good blend, and we have a lot of hard working kids … a lot of young guys getting to play football,” Marley said. “We teach fundamentals. We’re teaching kids to block and tackle, but this has also been a learning experience for me – in a positive way.”

While coaching is coaching, it’s also a new experience for Marley, who was the head football coach at University School of Jackson for 27 years, before he was relieved of his coaching duties after the 2015 season.

“The biggest transition? Everything,” Marley said. “The speed of the game … what you can do offensively or defensively. Also, some of these kids are only one or two years older than my oldest grandson.”

Another difference is game day, which isn’t Friday, when high school games are played.

“Some of our games are played on Tuesdays, and some on Thursdays,” Marley said. “Also, our practices are not like they are in high school. Right now, it’s the basics.”

While Marley said his job is to prepare those who will play at the high school level, he knows their potential is in front of them.

“Some kids develop in one or two years … a late bloomer, so you never know” Marley said. “Kids today give up on themselves, but we don’t give up on them.”

Besides coaching the Bears, Marley teaches at Rosenwald Middle.

“I’m second team P.E. (physical education) teacher,” Marley said, laughing. “But at least I’m on the roster. This is a great place to be, and I love being here.”

(PHOTO: Mickey Marley)

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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