TCAPS Learning, Enrichment & Athletic Program

About 7th - 8th Grade Football

MHSAA tackle football is open to all 7th & 8th Grade TCAPS boys and girls.  TCAPS Middle School athletes participate under the umbrella of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The middle school teams under the MHSAA must be composed of students enrolled in TCAPS. The only exception to this rule is if TCAPS has a MHSAA cooperative agreement with another school for a particular sport. For football, TC East has a MHSAA cooperative agreeement with Pathfinder & Woodland School and TC West has a MHSAA cooperative agreement with The Children's House/Compass Jr. High School. Students that are not enrolled in TCAPS but attend a partnership school will be asked to pay a registration fee that is set at the true cost that it costs our district (per pupil) to operate the sport.

The football season will run approximately eight weeks and begins prior to the start of the school year. Practices will run 4 - 5 days a week after school at each middle school. Weekend practices may ocassionally be scheduled. 7th & 8th Grade football will have a maximum of 6 games and 1 scrimmage per MHSAA regulations throughout the season. Approximately 3 home games and 3 away games will be scheduled. Transportation is not a guarantee to away games. The number of teams at each school is determined by enrollment. If staffing allows, additional teams may be formed to maximize playing time for all athletes.

For 2026: 

TC East will have a 7th Grade team & and 8th Grade team.

TC West will have a 7th Grade team, an 8th Grade team & a combined 7th/8th Grade team.

Team placement will be determined by the coaching staff after the start of the season.  Coaches will communicate team rosters as soon as feasible after the first practices have taken place.

SEASON START DATE:

Monday, August 17th, 2026

East Middle School Equipment Pick Up:

8th Grade ~ TBD

7th Grade ~ TBD

East Middle School Football Practice Schedule: 

Practice Begins Monday, August 17th, 2026. The weekly schedule will be posted as soon as it is is confirmed.

West Middle School Equipment Pick Up:

8th Grade ~ August 16th, 3:00 - 4:00 pm

7th Grade ~ August 16th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

West Middle School Football Practice Schedule:

Practice Begins Monday, August 17th, 2026, 5:30 - 8 pm (Subject to change, look for communications from coach)

Week 1 tentative schedule (subject to change, look for communications from coach)

August 16th: 3:00 - 5:00 Equipment pickup

August 17th - 21st: Practice 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm

August 24th - 28th: Practice 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm (7th Grade) 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (8th Grade)

September 1st: 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm (7th Grade) 5:30 - 8:00 pm (8th Grade)

September 2nd: 4 way Scrimmage,  4:00 pm (SEAS, Kingsley, TC East) at West Middle School

September 3rd - 4th: 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm (7th Grade) 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm (8th Grade)

Regular Season:

Practices: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm (7th Grade) 5:30 pm - 8:00 (8th Grade)

Games: Wednesdays (Kickoff times Vary)

Detailed schedules for the remainder of the season to be communicated through coaches.

Game Schedules

Games are typically held on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. 7th Grade kicks off at 4:00 pm with 8th Grade to follow (typically 5:30/6:00 pm). 6 games will be scheduled between 9/9/26 and 10/21/26. Tentative schedules are below.

Schedules are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated directly from coaches.

Admission:

Admission will be charged for HOME contests as outlined below. Admission for AWAY contests varies by school and is set by the host school.

• General Admission - $5.00
• Children 5 & Under - Free

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Coaches:

2026 East Middle School

• 7th Grade: TBA
• 8th Grade: Jeff Royston - jeff@airtechequipment.com
  
  

2026 West Middle School

• 8th Grade: Harry Burkholder- harryburkholder@gmail.com
• 7th Grade: Eric Quine -  quineer@tcaps.net
• 7th/8th Grade: John Cargill - john.cargill3871@gmail.com
  
  

Equipment Needed:

• Cleats
• Mouth Guard
• Integrated Practice pants (White) (West Middle School Players)
• Personal girdle
• Water Bottle

3 STEP ENROLLMENT PROCESS:

1) Eleyo Registration & Payment

TCAPS Middle School athletes participate under the umbrella of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The middle school teams under the MHSAA must be composed of students enrolled in TCAPS.  The only exception to this rule is if TCAPS has a MHSAA cooperative agreement with another school for a particular sport.  For football, TC East has a MHSAA cooperative agreeement with Pathfinder & Woodland School and TC West has a MHSAA cooperative agreement with The Children's House. Student's that are not enrolled in TCAPS but attend a partnership school will be asked to pay a registration fee that is set at the true cost that it costs our district (per pupil) to operate the sport.

Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 2nd
Registration deadlines are final. Late registrations may not be accepted after the posted registration close date. If late registration is available, there will be a $25.00 late fee added to the cost of registration.

• TCAPS Student Registration Fee: $150.00. Reduced fees are available to TCAPS students who qualify for the free and reduced meals program:
  • Reduced Meals Participation Fee: $75.00 
  • Free Meals Participation Fee: $50.00 
  • MHSAA Co-Op Team Member Fee: $400.00 (Reduced fees are not available for any students not enrolled in TCAPS).

NOTE: Payment is required at the time of registration. You may register online using a Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or ACH (via a checking or savings account) please register below. Registration is not complete until your course appears in your dashboard. You will also receive an email from Eleyo confirming your registration. If you need assistance please call the LEAP office (231.933.7480). 

2) Final Forms

• ALL STUDENTS MUST REGISTER FOR A FINAL FORMS ACCOUNT IN ADDITION TO REGISTERING/PAYING
• Please register at: https://traversecity-mi.finalforms.com and follow the prompts to create your account, create your students, upload sports physicals, and sign your forms.
• If you require any support during the process, scroll to the page bottom and click “Use Support,” or feel free to contact our office. NOTE: During parent registration, you will need to input your students’ TCAPS email address. 

3) Sports Physical

Middle School Athletes must have an updated physical on file each school year.
Sports physicals must be dated on or after April 15th, 2026. They can be used for the entire 2026 - '27 school year.
Your athlete MAY NOT attend practices/evaluations etc. until this is on file.
Once you have obtained their physical, you must UPLOAD it DIRECTLY to their Final Forms account using the documents button that looks like a file folder or email it directly to: lawrencebo@tcaps.net
Need a new physical? Download and print the TCAPS physical form here and then call your family physician or the TCAPS Student Health Center at (231-642-5291) to schedule a physical for your child.