Vashon High School’s football team kicked off the season last week with its first practice on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The Pirates will face the Chelan High School Goats in the first game of the season on the home field at 7 p.m. next Friday, Sept. 2. 

The Vashon Bounty Club, formerly the booster club for VHS football, is now serving the needs of all Vashon football programs. The club recently underwent a reorganization to include Vashon Youth Football, merging the two organization’s boards. 

In addition, due to school district budget constraints, the Bounty Club will fully fund McMurray football for the 2011 season.

Bounty Club president Brian Brenno said the club members agreed to take on the extra responsibility and about $6,000 in additional fundraising because they would hate to see Vashon lose its football program at any level.

“I like to see kids active and involved in sports,” Brenno said. “I think it keeps them out of trouble and healthy and active and busy.”

Brenno added that while interest in McMurray football has waned in recent years, a large crop of middle schoolers has signed up for the program this year.

“It’s good we have a nice group at McMurray that wants to keep going,” he said.

The club will put on a Football Kickoff Party at the Vashon Sportsmen’s Club, from 5 to 10 p.m. this Saturday to raise money for all three football programs.

The event will include a barbecue, chili cook-off, live music by One More Mile, dancing, games and a raffle for Seahawks tickets.

Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for children, are available at Books by the Way and include one free raffle ticket.