St. Louis Jr. Devils Youth Association football will thank everyone that made its first year possible at a banquet on Saturday at Maplewood Richmond Heights Elementary School

Lee Robinson Sr., the group’s president, said the banquet will also function as a meet and greet for new recruits. He said several players have shown interest. The organization has been getting the word out with fliers and word of mouth.

The graduating eighth-graders will receive special recognition. Robinson said it will be similar to when a high school player has a letter of intent to play at a college.

“I want to make it a big deal for the boys who are leaving the organization—the first of batch of Devils leaving,” he said.

The group’s eighth-grade all-star team made it all the way to the finals this year and played at Lindenwood University against a team from Iowa. The Jr. Devils lost by three points. He said their opponent had been undefeated for five years. Along the way, the Blue Devils beat all the area teams, including one from Chicago.

Robinson said the program will grow from four teams to seven or eight next year. The organization will add more age groups, like a 7- and 9-year-old team. He’s looking for experienced coaches as well.

He’s also working to bring together eight to 10 area middle school teams to participate in a national league. He said he saw the 12-year-old national champions playing on ESPN last week and wants to establish that type of program here.

“That’s the blueprint for youth football right now," Robinson said. "That we’re trying to bring to St. Louis.”