Catching up with the VA Seahawks before their championship game vs the ramblers

Following the Southampton High vs. Surry County High matchup in Courtland, I caught back up with the VA Seahawks the next day for a pre-game sit-down. This time, I connected with members of the 11U group to gain more insight into what makes the Seahawks stand out from other youth organizations.

The players spoke on their community involvement and discussed the key differences between American Youth Football (AYF) and the United Youth Football League (UYFL).I also want to note a quick correction from the video — I mistakenly mentioned that the UYFL was a Florida-based league. That was an inaccuracy, and I want to thank viewers for catching that and allowing me to clarify.

This season, the VA Seahawks 11U are competing under American Youth Football (AYF) after previously playing in the United Youth Football League (UYFL). Both organizations serve as national youth football networks focused on player development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, but they differ in structure and scale.

Under UYFL, teams generally competed within regional circuits, with postseason opportunities primarily centered around divisional or All-American tournaments. The structure emphasized localized competition and streamlined championship brackets.

By joining AYF, the Seahawks entered a broader national system that connects conference play to state, regional, and national tournaments. AYF’s model allows conference champions to advance through each tier, with top programs ultimately competing at the AYF National Championships in Florida.

For teams like the VA Seahawks, this change provides a wider competitive pathway and greater visibility, while still maintaining the same community-driven focus that defines the program. You can learn more about how the VA Seahawks contribute off the field and within their communities and beyond in the linked YouTube pre-game interview preview above, shot and produced by Backfield Media.