Once again, the youth football season in our house came to an end in three stages. First and foremost, Bradley finished up his middle school football season while, secondly, Jared’s flag football season wrapped up. Third and finally, Bradley played his last flag football game of the season as his team made it to round two of the playoffs. When the final seconds wound down and Bradley walked off the field, it triggered the same question that my wife Sheryl and I ask every time the youth football season in our house is over.

“What do we do now?”

After a deep breath, while continuing to follow the local high school team throughout the playoffs and doing our best to put on a happy face cheering on the Jets, we look back and are proud of our kids for another terrific season of competing on the football field. It’s always football season in our house when it comes to talking about the sport and watching on television, but for our kids, it’s time to prepare for the next chapter.

For Bradley and Jared, it’s onto competing in other sports until next football season including lacrosse and baseball respectively this spring. With the completion of his middle school football season, Bradley will now begin preparations for high school next year and that includes staying in shape during the off-season, attending a U.S. National Team Regional and getting ready for training camp. Jared will go to another football camp over the summer in advance of his third season of flag football.

As far as my wife and I are concerned, we’ll be on the lookout for good deals on any equipment and apparel that our kids will need for upcoming camps, as well as, next season. We’re also planning on being active by volunteering to support the local high school football program. We’ll also take a look at strength and conditioning programs for Bradley and other activities for Jared to prepare them both for next season.

But as a sign says in our home, “we interrupt this family for football season.” So, we’ll follow the New York Guardians of the new XFL this winter and spring, and hopefully, I’ll continue working in Arena Football. Before you know it, Bradley and Jared will be back on a football field really soon. It never ends!

Peter is a sports anchor for the CBS Sports Radio Network, FOX News Headlines 24/7 and WCBS 880 Radio in New York.  His son Bradley plays middle school football on Long Island and is a participant in the U.S. National Team program while his younger son Jared plays flag football.   Peter, his wife Sheryl and the boys are busy cheering on the New York Jets when they’re not at a youth football field.