The Broncos are back!

Ten yards, five yards, touchdown!  That's right — football season is less than a month away for the West Hempstead Broncos, as the community gears up for the team's sixth season.

The first game officially starts Sept. 12 at West Hempstead High School, but you'll find the team practicing over at George Washington as early as Aug. 1.

The Broncos, formerly known as the Generals, are a team comprised of four different age-based divisions, totaling just over 120 boys and girls: the 5- to 7-year-old Peewees, the 8- and 9-year-old Midgets, the 10- and 11-year-old Ponies, and the Seniors, who are 12 and 13 years old.

The team is led by Tony Di Lorenzo, a West Hempstead resident who has has been coaching in his community for the last 20 years.  DiLorenzo also manages the Broncos' finances with the help of an 11-member board and is the father of two teenage football players who were once Broncos. DiLorenzo himself formerly played football in his high school and college years.

Indeed, DiLorenzo said the team is a great place to start for young people who show an interest in football and other sports; most of the players who begin with the Broncos are eventually recruited to play on the high school team and are successful throughout their college careers.

Nevertheless, he reminds his players that being on the team isn't just about winning: the Broncos is a community-minded organization supported by dedicated parents and the hard-working high school cheerleading team.

"Our mission statement is teaching teamwork, good sportsmanship and community involvement," DiLorenzo recently told the Herald. "We try to teach the kids more than just football. We try to make them better people."

Children who are interested in playing for the Broncos still have time to sign up.  "Know that the Broncos are here," DiLorenzo said. "The Broncos are alive and kicking and we would love to have more kids sign up to play football."