craigdailypress.com

After the Friday night football games, teenagers have a place to celebrate a big win.

Fifth Quarter is an after party all high school students are invited to in the Moffat County High School commons area after every home game.

The event is organized by Moffat County Young Life, a Christ-centered mentoring program, but Fifth Quarter is not religion based. It's just a place for teens to go and have fun.

"I just go to Fifth Quarter because you can go and get some pizza and talk and hang out," said Cass Thompson, 17.

Sure, he's tired from the game he's just finished, but he doesn't mind. He even admits he likes to show off on the dance floor from time to time.

"It's fun to just be with everyone," Thompson said.

The program is in its fourth year, after starting at Shadow Mountain Village as a fundraiser for Young Life. Now, admission is just $1 to cover the cost of pizza and drinks.

"It's got the point of us getting to know some new kids," Young Life volunteer Troy DeRose said, "and it's got the idea of giving high school kids a place they can go and be safe after a game."

About 100 teens typically show up for the party, but the event has included as many as 200 in the past.

Some other organizations, such as Grand Futures, Boys & Girls Club of Craig and football parents, help put the event on and chaperone the teens.

DeRose thinks the event is successful because the party has an informal and relaxed atmosphere. He gets to meet new teens, maybe some who would like to participate in Young Life, and teens get to have a good time.

"It's one place they can go," DeRose said, "and nobody has to worry about them."

For more information about Fifth Quarter or Young Life, call 629-9600.

Michelle Perry can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 209, or mperry@craigdailypress.com.