SALADO YOUTH FOOTBALL

Where it all begins — building confidence, fundamentals, and love for the game in Salado’s youngest athletes.

Start Strong. Build Fundamentals. Have Fun.

Salado Youth Football introduces athletes in grades K–6 to the game with age-appropriate learning, safety, and excitement. Whether it’s flag for our youngest or full-contact tackle for our older players, every child experiences the joy of football while learning teamwork, sportsmanship, and core skills.

We prioritize development over winning, because building confident, coachable athletes is our long game. Every player is part of the greater Salado Football family, preparing for a future under Friday night lights.

Upcoming
Season Details

  • Week 1

    • 08/30/2025

    Opponent

    • Salado Red @ Salado White

    Location:

    • Salado Eagle Stadium 640 Thomas Arnold Rd, Salado, TX 76571

  • Week 2

    • 09/06/2025

    Opponent

    • Salado White @ Midway

    • FCU @ Salado Red

    Location:

    • Midway:

  • Week 3

    • 09/13/2025

    Opponent

    • McGregor @ Salado White

    • Salado Red @ Gatesville

    Location:

    • Gatesville:

  • Week 4

    • 09/20/2025

    Opponent

    • Salado White @ FCU

    • Moody @ Salado Red

    Location:

    • FCU:

  • Week 5

    • 09/27/2025

    Opponent

    • Salado White @ Gatesville

    • Salado Red @ Rosebud-Lott

    Location:

    • Gatesville:

    • Rosebud-Lott

  • Week 6

    • 10/04/2025

    Opponent

    • Salado White @ Moody

    • Midway @ Salado Red

    Location:

    • Moody

  • Week 7

    • 10/11/2025

    Opponent

    • Rosebud-Lott @ Salado White

    • Salado Red @ McGregor

    Location:

    • McGregor

  • Details to come

  • Details to come

Age Divisions & Formats

  • Flag Football - Get Registered

  • Description text goes here
  • Description text goes here
  • Item description

📍 Practice is held 2–3 evenings per week.

🎯 Game days are Saturdays.

Get to know our Coaches

6U Coaches

  • Coach Stephen Quick

    Stephen Quick has been married to his bride, Maddie Quick, for 13 years and is the proud parent of five children. He was raised in Salado and moved his family to the Salado area in 2019. He served as an Armor Officer for 8 years and currently works for a leadership development company specializing in character development within the public school system.

    He is passionate about helping children grow into young adults of character through lessons learned in sport. In all things he strives to live in accordance to his biblical faith, coming alongside those around him to encourage, support, and learn.

  • Coach Chris Welcelean

    My name is Chris Welcelean, a proud Central Texas native, husband, and father. I've been married to my wife, Ashley, for 18 years, and we're blessed with two wonderful children who are part of Salado ISD and active in Salado Youth Sports.

    My coaching journey began, as it does for many dads, in the backyard with my kids. Over time, it's grown into a passion for helping young athletes thrive on and off the field. My philosophy is simple and rooted in the same values I teach at home: sportsmanship, teamwork, and commitment.

    Whether your child is new to the game or a seasoned player, I believe in using athletics as a platform to build character, resilience, and confidence. I'm honored to coach this next generation and look forward to a great season together!

8U Coaches

  • Coach Nate Russ

    Married to Allyssa Russ for 10 years, Nate Russ is a proud football dad with three boys currently in the program. He has lived in the Salado community since 2017 and is passionate about developing young athletes both on and off the field.

    Guided by his Christian faith, Nate has served in outdoor camp ministry for over 10 years full time as a recreation director and strives to be a positive role model who helps players grow in skill, confidence, and character.

    Last year Coach Russ assisted with both the 6u flag and 8u tackle teams. This will be his second year coaching within the program and actively coaches multiple youth sports within the Salado community.

    Coach Russ' main focus with his athletes will be discipline humility, and effort. He wants to teach these athletes the value of effort and the satisfaction found when the results are seen within the game. In a world of convenience and ease, he hopes to teach these boys the value of pushing themselves to work hard and the realization that they are in fact capable of doing these hard things.

    "Max effort requires no talent."

    GO EAGLES!!!

  • Coach Mike Moreno

    Coach Mike Moreno, known to many as Coach Mike, brings over a decade of experience and passion to the game of football. With 10 years of coaching varsity football under the legendary Coach Kurt Bruich in California's Division 2 (comparable to Texas 5A), Coach Mike has built a foundation of excellence, discipline, and integrity.

    Now leading as the Head Coach of an 8U football team, Coach Mike's mission goes far beyond wins and losses. His primary focus is to develop young boys into strong, respectful young men, guided by a core set of values, high expectations, and an unwavering standard of hard work and determination. He believes in the power of relationships- on and off the field-and works closely with players and their families to ensure every child is supported, challenged, and valued.

    His coaching style is hands-on, high-energy, and action-oriented He sets realistic team goals while encouraging each player to pursue individual growth. Known for his contagious enthusiasm and genuine care, Coach Mike creates a positive, disciplined environment where young athletes can thrive.

    Coaching became part of his life early on, right after graduating high school and welcoming his first child. That experience-as both a young father and a coach-shaped the man he is today and fuels his deep commitment to mentorship and leadership

    Over the years, Coach Mike has celebrated 10 straight league championships and a California state title in 2014, and he's proud to have coached future NFL players such as Kylie Fitts and Jaelan Phillips. He also played alongside Chris Polk during his own playing days.

    Above all, Coach Mike is a family man who loves the game and cherishes time with his kids. His coaching mantra:

    “Every day, every way, we get a little better!'

10U Coaches

  • Coach Stephen Brewer

    With 11 years of coaching experience, I bring a deep-rooted passion for football shaped by both my New York upbringing and a Texas state of mind. Though I'm from the Northeast, I've always felt destined for the heart of football country-Texas. My family lives and breathes the game; football isn't just what we do. It's who we are.

    Coaching for me is more than just winning games-it's about building character. I set a standard grounded in morality, discipline, and accountability. I believe in developing this generation of Salado Eagles into not just strong players but strong people. I teach them to be fierce on the field but merciful in spirit because football is a game of controlled aggression, mutual respect, and shared purpose.

    Football is not an individual sport-it's a brotherhood, a collective effort where each player plays a vital role in the team's success. I'm proud to guide this generation of Salado Eagles in learning the true meaning of teamwork, integrity, and resilience, both on and off the field.

  • Coach Alan Ellis

    Coach Alan Ellis is grateful and honored to serve as a youth football coach in Salado. A lifelong lover of the game, he believes football is more than just a sport-it's a powerful metaphor for life: its challenges, teamwork, perseverance, and the strength to get back up after being knocked down. 

    He has a deep passion for mentoring young boys into strong young men-future husbands, fathers, and leaders. With a background that includes playing high school and semi-pro football, Coach Ellis began his coaching journey in the mid-1990s at a North Carolina high school, including experience in the state playoffs. He also coached middle school football in 2022 and has remained actively involved in coaching his own children in football, baseball, basketball, and softball. His coaching career also includes high school and college softball, where he was part of a state championship team.

    Coach Ellis is a devoted husband and father of three: Aydan (16), Masyn (12), and Westyn (10). His family moved to Salado in February, following a clear calling from the Lord, and they are thrilled to be part of this community. 

    Coaching here is not just an opportunity, it's part of his purpose.

12U Coaches

  • Coach Jeff Taylor

    My name is Jeff Taylor, and I'm proud to serve as a head coach for one of our 12U teams this season. It's a true privilege to help lead and mentor these young athletes as they grow both on and off the field.

    My family and I have called Salado home for the past eight years, and we're blessed to be raising five incredible kids here. Football has been a lifelong passion of mine, ever since I played in my own youth.

    Ilook back with deep gratitude for the coaches who poured into me, shaping my character and work ethic. My goal is to pay that forward and be a steady, positive influence for your sons. This season is about more than just learning how to block, tackle, or run plays. Were going to talk about character-loyalty, hard work, discipline, courage, and teamwork— virtues that extend far beyond the football field.

    Our goals this season: To physically and mentally challenge these boys in ways that build resilience, strength, and confidence. To help them grow into better sons, brothers, friends, and future men. To foster trusted battle buddies-lifelong friendships they can lean on when life gets hard. To introduce high school terminology, pass routes, and systems, building a foundation aligned with the program they'll one day represent as Varsity State Champions.

    Thank you for trusting me with your son's growth this season. I'm excited for the journey ahead and can't wait to get started.

  • Coach Josh Kubiak

    Josh Kubiak is a former standout football player and dedicated coach with a passion for developing the next generation of athletes. A graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Josh earned All-American honors and was selected to the D3football.com All-Decade Team. He also earned recognition as a two-time American Southwest Conference (ASC) Defensive Player of the Year and was honored as the 2006-07 ASC Male Athlete of the Year. In 2007, Josh was a key contributor to Team USA's gold medal win over Japan at the IFAF World Championships, showcasing his leadership and skill on the international stage. 

    With a strong foundation in both individual and team oriented success, Josh is now focused on coaching young athletes, instilling in them the same values of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork that shaped his own career. Josh is committed to helping his players succeed not only on the field but also off it-emphasizing the importance of academic achievement, community leadership, and personal growth His coaching philosophy emphasizes the development of well-rounded athletes who are not only prepared for competition but also for life.

    Josh currently lives in Salado with his wife, Jessica, and their three children, Tessa, Tristan, and Trey.

Want to Volunteer?

Your help is always welcome.

What a Typical Week Looks Like

  • Activity

    • No practice

    Focus

    • Optional film or leadership

  • Activity

    • Practice (6:00–7:30 PM)

    Focus

    • Fundamentals & Technique

  • Activity

    • Rest or family night

    Focus

    • None

  • Activity

    • Practice (6:00–7:30 PM)

    Focus

    • Game prep & team cohesion

  • Activity

    • None

    Focus

    • None

  • Activity

    • Game Day!

    Focus

    • Times vary by team

Great Habits Start Young

Our youth coaches focus on positive leadership, teaching over yelling, and preparing kids for the next level. Every coach is trained on our unified system, so what kids learn in kindergarten will carry them through high school.

Ready to Play? Let’s Go.

We’d love to have your child in the program! No experience needed — just a willingness to learn and have fun.