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The Keele Cougars' boys and girls touch football teams are city champions and conference finalists respectively - quite a feat given that the sport was just introduced to Grade 4,5 and 6 kids at Keele Street Public School last year.

"We played the same team in the conference finals and beat them eight to six," said Coach Tom Carnovale, who can take credit for bringing football to the school when he took over the physical education department two years ago. "It was a very, very close game. When we scored our last touch down, we made the two points - the other team didn't."

Carnovale attributes his teams' success at the Nov. 5 tournament to the fact that they are comprised of some solid athletes. This is the second year in a row that the boys have brought home a championship. Consecutive wins like this are rare, he said. Also, they practice a lot, a minimum of two times a week either after school, in the mornings or at lunch. The plays are ingrained in their psyche. It wasn't unusual for Carnovale to sit his team down in front of a chalkboard to go over the playbook. He's got a laminated play sheet of 12 different play options.

"Our (Grade) 5s were strong last year and now they're stronger in Grade 6," he said.

Although the girls performed well leading up to the conference finals, Carnovale said they were beat by Lambton-Kingsway Public School because they were nervous.

"I've got a really strong group of kids," he said.

Carnovale said it was natural that he introduced football to his students in gym class. He said he played every sport as a kid and has a love for the game. His enthusiasm was infectious. On their own initiative, the kids began playing football at recess. That's where Lana Jevrenovic, a Grade 6 student on the girls' touch football and co-ed flag football team, was introduced to it.

"It's really fun," she said.

She said she prefers flag over touch football.

"It's a lot harder than touch and there's more running," she said.

Teammate Michael Kraljevic had never played football until last year.

"I wanted to do football and Mr. C. forced me to be quarterback," he joked.

Kraljevic is modest, insisted his coach.

"He's got a great arm," Carnovale said.

Carnovale has no doubt many of his players will go on to play (tackle) football in high school.