DENVER -- On a hot summer afternoon in northwest Denver, an organized flag football game means much more than passing, catching, and scoring to Jesse Montoya and Isaiah Romero.

"I didn't have anybody to help me with sports," said Montoya. "So it helps me accomplish that through this program."

Montoya was matched with Romero, 11 years old, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Sports Buddies program more than two years ago.

"We've gone to a couple of lacrosse games and to some Rockies games, and we play soccer and football," Romero said.

As they chase their opponents around the field and give each other high fives, it's evident that their relationship has moved well beyond sports to become good friends.

"What I like about this program is I get to hang out with Jesse a lot and I have somebody to talk to when I have problems," Romero said.

Montoya believes the events are even more important in the summer when Romero is out of school.

"I honestly think it helps him stay out of trouble because it's less time that he has to go hang out with kids that will go tag on walls," Montoya said.

In the Sports Buddies program "bigs" and "littles" play and watch sports together. Organizers say both are opportunities to teach kids about discipline, self-esteem and goals.

"It's very fulfilling," said Anne Thul, the program manager of Sports Buddies. She adds that there are not enough men to help all the boys who want to participate. "Someone who can be there for them, who can teach them little things about sports that they might know, and just come out and relax."

In this case, play can also be meaningful.

"It means a lot because I don't have a dad, so it makes me have somebody to talk to," Romero said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters typically has a list of about 125 boys waiting for a match, and there's especially a need in Aurora.

If you'd like more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, or the Sports Buddies program, visit www.biglittlecolorado.org.