POULSBO — Helmets have been donned. Cleats have begun to mat the green grass. Shouts of “One! Two! Three! Four! Five!” can be heard all over Hamilton Field.

Yes, football is back in North Kitsap for the Pee Wees. And this year could prove to be the organization’s largest year ever.

Approximately 120 kids have come out for seven — and possibly eight — different teams with players ranging in age from 5 to 14.

“Turnout has been outstanding this year,” said Rob Johnson, one of the Pee Wee organizers and coach of the “A” level team, consisting of 13- and 14-year-old players. “This is our second year in a row of major growth.”

That growth started three years ago when the Pee Wees were approximately 80 in number. A year ago, they grew to about 100 and then rose again this year to the current level.

“Three years ago, we barely fielded a ‘B’ team,” Johnson said, referring to the aged 11- and 12-year-old team. “Our expansion has been incredible.”

The growth, Johnson added, has come so quickly that more adult volunteers are needed to help out with coaching, among other activities.

And the larger Pee Wees organization isn’t just due to the male turnout. Several females have also shown up to play, as well as an approximately 28-strong cheerleading squad that will lend support to teams during the season.

Aside form the “A” and “B” teams, two “C” teams with 9- and 10-year-old players, two “D” teams made up of 7- and 8-year-olds and one or two teams will make up the 5 and 6 year old “flag football” division.

North Kitsap’s Pee Wee players are no strangers to success, either. Three of the four teams from last year’s season made it to the playoffs and two teams — the “Bs” and the “Ds” — made it to the championship game.

The tradition of Pee Wee football is invaluable for kids in the community, Johnson and fellow coach and volunteer Mike Lucas said.

“You’ve got to have football,” Lucas commented. “And if you don’t pass on the knowledge, it will die.”

As a grass roots-type organization, Pee Wees can help develop the future athletes who thrive at the junior high school and high school level, Lucas added.

“We take the rough edges off (at this level),” Lucas said. “The junior highs and high school fine tune it.”

“They get an opportunity and a head start to play the game,” Johnson added.

Pee Wee players this year will also get help from two players from the North Kitsap Vikings varsity football team in Jacob Snell and Andy Sturza. The pair are helping coach the “A” level team.

“The kids just love ‘em,” Johnson said. “They call Andy (Sturza) ‘Coach Kid.’”

The season began Aug. 9 and lasts through October.

Johnson said he admits his favorite part of the Pee Wee season is seeing the hard work and dedication put forth by the kids as well as the parents and volunteers that help out.

“It’s the enthusiasm,” Johnson said. “We’re making great progress here. This program is really thriving right now.”