The Selma Recreation Department will hold opening day for its youth football program Saturday at Memorial Stadium at 8 a.m.

The program is a way for youth teams to get introduced in front of family and friends before the season gets underway. Following the opening ceremony will be ten games, starting with the Jr. Dolphins vs. Jr. Raiders at 9 a.m.

“I’m expecting a good turnout because the kids are excited about playing,” Jackson said.

The league has expanded in recent years with the addition of teams from Orrville and Marion, who each have three teams in this year’s league. More than 600 players are registered this year and 26 teams will play in the league, which is six more than last season.

Orrville only had a 9-and-10 year-old team last season, but has added teams at the 7-and-8 and 11-and-12 age groups this year.

“That helps a lot,” Jackson said. “When I first started and my kids had dropped from Orrville because that didn’t have a way down [here], but now by them practicing in Orrville and just coming up here playing my numbers have picked back up. I picked up another 100 kids from Orrville.”

Marion also added a 7-and-8 year old team this year to go along with 9-and-10 and 11-and-12 year old teams they had last season.

Many games will be played on Saturdays throughout the year, but weeknights are also used for youth contests. The final day of regular season play is scheduled for Nov. 12.