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When the Broncos and Packers huddle up, there's no question who's in charge.

The third- and fourth-grade Doak Walker football league players know that there won't be any problems hearing the centers on both offenses yell, "huddle" as loud as they can.

"The coaches thought I was loud," said Broncos' center John Kirk.

"I like to be the leader," said Thomas McCoy the center of the Packers.

Being able to huddle up teammates is just one of the new experiences children from Hayden and Craig learn about in the Craig Parks and Recreation tackle football program that takes place for fifth and sixth graders on Tuesdays and third and fourth graders on Wednesdays.

They wear their jerseys to school on games days just like the high school players, and they watch on Friday nights, too.

"I like Aaron Sanchez," said Broncos Matthew Balderston of his favorite Bulldog. "He is a great quarterback and running back."

They also have a chance to emulate their favorite professional players. Many of the Broncos said they thought they had the best uniforms in the league because they were the local favorites.

Wednesday night the Broncos held off a late drive by the Packers and prevailed 13-6. The win improved the blue and orange to 3-0, just like their namesake, and the Packers dropped to 2-2. But from the reactions of the players after the game, who won and who lost isn't dwelt on got very long.

"I've learned the biggest people aren't always the best," said the Bronco's Justin McAlexander, who predicted he was 25 inches shorter than everybody else on the field.

Sam Bondy of the Packers said he liked to hit people hard while Ryder Seely of the Broncos said he liked to get the ball and run.

Alfredo Hernandez, one of the defensive stars of the game for the Broncos, said every time he touches the ball he tries to make a touchdown.

When asked what they liked the most about league football, nearly every team member had something to talk about. Then McAlexander chimed out "having fun," and the others groaned and put their hands down as he had taken their answer.

With all of the different reasons that they like playing, the undersized athletes in oversized equipment all had smiles when they talked about getting to play.

David Pressgrove can be reached at 824-7031 or dpressgrove@craigdailypress.com