BHP Staff Writer

Though not all at the same time, an estimated 3000 people made their way to Brentwood’s Crockett Park on Saturday for the Brentwood Blaze-hosted Jamboree – the official kickoff for local teams in the Tennessee Youth Football Alliance (www.tyfa.org).

Following Friday night’s pump-them-up pep rally, 21 Blaze teams, representing four age groups, played scrimmages against teams from Spring Hill, Murfreesboro and Grassland as well as other Blaze teams in their same age groups.

“We had an amazing day -- the kids, the families all came together for a beautiful and exciting way to kick off the season,” said Shawnna Simpson, administrator of the Blaze’s board of directors.

Jerome Perkins, board president, said he couldn’t have been more pleased with how the day unfolded.

Perkins, now in his third year as president, has been involved with the Blaze as a coach since 1999. The former Tennessee Tech receiver started his football career as a player with the Whitehaven Jr. Sports Association youth football program in Memphis and knows first-hand how important organizations like the Blaze can be.

Unlike most Blaze coaches and volunteers, however, Perkins doesn’t have a child in the program, at least not yet. His oldest child turns 3 on Tuesday, with 16-month-old twin girls right behind their big brother. This year he is coaching the Triple A team -- the Blaze’s oldest and best set of players.

Though “regular issues” were experienced during the Jamboree, at which games were played at three Crockett Park fields, Perkins said all in all it was a day for celebrations.

 “It was a slow-coaching day,” he said of his own Triple A team. “There was nothing to say to them because they were doing so well. I hope that continues throughout the season.”

The Blaze worked with the TYFA to plan and organize the tournament, which turned into a “successful” fundraiser for the local team. A portion of the $3 per person gate charge goes to the host organization. Most of the money, however, helps pay the referees and cover other Jamboree expenses.

“We get tremendous support from our parents and volunteers. They all worked together to help us pull the Jamboree together,” Perkins said, echoing Simpson’s earlier statements.

The regular season starts Aug. 29 and runs through Oct. 24. Playoffs begin Oct. 31 with the league championships set for Nov. 14. For 2009, the Blaze is part of TYFA’s National Conference, which includes Bordeaux, Brentwood, Franklin, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro and Smyrna.

Click HERE to go to the BHP Brentwood Blaze Page. for Photo Galleries of the weekend.