Terrell County continues to rebuild youth recreation with return of football, cheerleading

DAWSON — After several years without youth football and cheerleading, fall sports are returning to Terrell County as local recreation leaders work to rebuild programs they hope will become a lasting part of the community.

The Terrell County Recreation Department is bringing football and cheerleading back for the 2026 season, continuing a broader effort to restore youth recreation opportunities that had disappeared from the county in recent years.

The return follows the recent revival of baseball, softball and T-ball, which also had been absent for several years.

For Heather Faircloth, a seasonal employee for the recreation department who has been involved in the rebuilding effort, the return represents more than simply putting teams back on the field.

“This year really represents a fresh start for our recreation department,” Faircloth said.

Registration for football and cheerleading opened Aug. 1 and continues through Sept. 1, with Recreation Director Joe Williams encouraging families to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Whether your child is ready to hit the field or cheer from the sidelines, we’d love to have them join us for a season of learning, teamwork, sportsmanship and fun,” Williams said.

Flag football is available for boys ages 5-7 at a cost of $35. Tackle football is open to boys ages 8-12 for $55, while girls flag football is available for ages 10-14 for $45.

Cheerleading registration is $45, with Mini Cheer offered for ages 5-7 and Youth Cheer for ages 8-12.

Registration forms can be picked up at the Terrell County Courthouse in Dawson. Football and cheerleading registration forms have also been made available through the recreation department’s Facebook page.

“We can’t wait to welcome returning families and meet new ones this season,” Williams said. “Let’s make the 2026 season one to remember.”

While the immediate focus is getting children registered and teams on the field, Faircloth said the larger goal is creating programs that can grow from one season to the next.

“Our goal is not only to have a successful first season back, but to build a program that continues to grow each year,” Faircloth said. “We want our local children to have opportunities to participate in sports here in their own community, learn teamwork and sportsmanship, build friendships, and have something they can look forward to being part of year after year.”

Rebuilding programs that have been gone for several years also means rebuilding the network of volunteers, coaches, businesses and families needed to sustain them.

“Because we are essentially rebuilding these programs, community involvement will be very important,” Faircloth said. “We would love to see parents, former players and cheerleaders, local businesses, and other community members get involved.”

Opportunities include volunteering, coaching, attending games and helping support equipment and other program needs through donations and sponsorships.

The recreation department is currently seeking sponsors for the football season, with sponsorship levels ranging from $50 to $750.

A $50 Community Partner sponsorship includes recognition on the department’s Facebook page. A $100 Bronze sponsorship adds a business name to the sponsor board, while the $250 Silver level includes a banner on field fences. Gold sponsorships are $500 and include a name and logo on sponsor boards, while $750 Platinum sponsors receive name and logo placement on banners.

For Faircloth, the hope is that the return of football and cheerleading — along with baseball, softball and T-ball — signals the beginning of something larger for Terrell County recreation.

“We are very excited to see football and cheerleading return to Terrell County, and we hope this is just the beginning of rebuilding a strong recreation program for our children and future generations,” he said.

Football registration and sponsorship information is available from Williams at (229) 537-9501. Cheerleading information is available from April Craft at (229) 537-0201.