by Jim Young

It’s Tuesday afternoon in early April. The Thunder Six-man Football 2026 program is underway. High school and junior high hopefuls are wearing pads and helmets.
It doesn’t matter if it’s cold, hot, or mild weather, The kids are there, watching, listening, learning the basics. They repeat the basics until they ‘re automatic.
The instructions are matter-of-fact, no yelling—just needed verbal and/or physical, step-by-step, repeated correction until each player gets it.
Running, passing, blocking, defense, offense, protecting the quarterback and the ball, tackling, handoffs, kickoffs, receiving.
The boys — high schoolers and junior high get more than just a crash course in football fundamentals. Texas six-man football is a big deal even though it’s not as well known as 11-man programs. More than 540 teams reportedly exist, made up of kids from small schoolers and home schoolers. These kids are hungry to learn and play.
Once school is out other players — veterans and new comers — will join the team,
Head Coach Dakota Henze, defensive coordinator Ken Knight, assistant coaches, Dustin Henze and Lucas Force are committed to building a winning team of young men built on teamwork, knowledge, talent, confidence, and spirit. Each practice lasts 1.5 hours, with water breaks, team talks, drills, and the team forms a circle at the end with encouragement from the coaches, a reminder that God is important in their lives, and closing with prayer for the team.
Mondays Tuesdays, and Thursdays they’ll continue to learn and practice until the playing season starts in August and the hard pre-season work begins to pay off. There's still room for more players ready to work hard. Now offering the remaining clinics for only $100. Register here: bit.ly/NBTFBSpring2026