Keene Knights Football and Spirit: It's Much More Than Just Football

The Keene Knights organization offers tackle football, flag football and sideline cheerleading for Monadnock area children, providing a fun and safe environment for local athletes to learn the game of football or cheer. With 50-plus years under their belts, the Keene Knights have become one big family, with a community coming out to cheer them on every weekend at Alumni Field. "We work hard as an organization, to provide a safe environment for our local athletes to learn the game of football or cheer," states Keene Knights President, Caitin Ward. "The kids' safety is our number one priority. Our tackle football coaches are required to complete coaching certifications as well as a background check prior to taking the field. From there, they work hand-in-hand with Keene High School Head Coach, Linwood Patnode, Jr., teaching the same playbook, using the same terminology, etc., as Keene High School. This helps to provide a seamless transition from level to level, as the athletes move up. It is our goal to help our area high schools grow their football and cheer programs!" Flag Football is offered to children 5 to 8 years old; cheerleading is offered to children 5 to 13 years old, and tackle football is grade based, second through eight grade. Cheer Coordinator, Bethany Clark is excited about this season's cheerleading squad. "We have new uniforms this year," Bethany says. "And since cheer is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. right now, we have more kids coming on board to learn new skills and impressive routines." Because Keene Knights is an all-inclusive organization, ages are grouped together, and not skill-based. That means that children of all skill levels are welcome, and learn to work together as a team. Keene Knights is an organization that is run entirely by volunteers. Their board consists of 11 members who meet monthly to discuss the program as a whole, pre-season planning, in-season events, fundraising and more. Their Annual Dave Mohr Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on July 13 this year. They are looking for golfers, sponsors and prize donations. A Parents Night Out is also in the planning, featuring live music and food. More about these fundraisers can be found on the Keene Knights website. Keene Knights' purpose is to be a feeder program for Monadnock Regional and Keene High Schools. While the majority of their athletes come from Cheshire County, they often have players from Vermont as well. When the high schools are playing at home, players are encouraged to watch those games. "We are very fortunate to work so closely with Keene High School prior to our season beginning, as well as receiving pep talks by Coach Patnode throughout our season," says Caitlin. "Keene High School and Keene Knights have also collaborated over the last few years to put on a Free Youth Football Clinic in late July. The kids are able to come out, free of charge, and try out football (no contact) for a week. They work with Coach Patnode, and get a taste for the game that leaves them anxious to sign up and join us for the season!" In 2023, Keene Knights had multiple winning teams. Under the NHYFSC (New Hampshire Youth Football Spirit Conference), the 9U Tackle Team and 10U Tackle Team, and the Middle School Varsity team (under the GSFL) all won their State Championships. In 2023, the 8U Tackle Team and 10U Tackle Team both won their State Championships. Again, under the GSFL (Granite State Football League) the Middle School JV and Varsity teams both won their State Championships. Registration is currently open for the Keene Knights upcoming season. Equipment handout and paper day is scheduled for July 27. Parents can register their children online at www.keeneknights.com. The season opens the beginning of August and runs wraps up in mid-November. "I'm not sure there is a better place to be on a fall Sunday morning, than Alumni Field in Keene," says Caitlin. "Walking from the parking lot, out to the football field, soon the air will be filled with loud cheering fans, the smell of Italian sausage on the grill, music playing as the teams run out with their rosters being announced over the microphone. It's literally the best, and it's our favorite time of year!"