Sussex Elite celebrates beginning of 2025 season

LAUREL, Del. – Friday evening in Laurel saw a pep rally for youth football program the Sussex Elite Ravens.

There was music, food, some help from the Laurel Fire Department, and the chance for all four age groups–7U, 9U, 11U, and 13U–to show off their spirit and celebrate their hard work ahead of the start of their fall season on Saturday, August 23rd.

Addressing the kids before they take the field this weekend was a special guest speaker, defensive lineman Dajon Emory. Emory played locally at Woodbridge before moving on to NJCAA Divsion II Lackawana College, then Division 1 Arkansas State, then playing indoor football professionally in the CIF and IFL with the Green Bay Blizzard, the Sioux City Bandits, and the Sioux Falls Storm.

Emory said he grew up in the same shoes as many of the young athletes present, so he knows how important it is for youth programs like Sussex Elite to give kids an escape: “It’s really important because it’s giving kids something to do. You know, a lot of people, you see them fall through the cracks because they’re doing things they weren’t supposed to, lacking discipline, and doing other things. And, this is giving them an outlet. Football specifically is giving them an outlet. If you have a bad day at school, you come to practice and let your anger out. Or you’re getting away from all the stress of the outside life that gives you two hours to just be yourself and have fun, man. Just an outlet and having people around you that care. That’s huge​.”