Local youth squad seeks title

Members of the Del Norte Youth Football A White team before a home game in October. On Sunday the squad takes on South Fork in the A division Six Rivers Youth Football Championship. The contest begins at 9 a.m. at the Redwood Bowl at Humboldt State University in Arcata. The Daily Triplicate/ Rick Postal

So popular, in fact, that for the first time in Del Norte Youth Football history there were six youth teams this season.

This included three teams in  single A, the youngest division. This group consists of kids mainly from 8 to 10 years old with a few 11-year-olds that weigh under 70 pounds also taking part.

“It’s growing,” A White team  head coach Jesse Puente said about DNYF, adding that he has  kids who are one year away from being able to play who come up to him and say, “Hey coach, I’ll be ready to play next year.”

This season the A White squad was added to meet the demand. The team has come together in such a way that it has made it all the way to the Six Rivers Youth Football title game in the A division. On Sunday they face undefeated South Fork.

The White squad, which ended the regular season 6-2, was the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. They won their first round playoff game and the next week upset the No. 2 seeded Redwood  Knights 13-7 last Sunday in Crescent City to earn the right to play for the championship.

Puente commended his squad   for coming together as a cohesive unit and said that they are ready to seek the upset against South Fork, which defeated Del Norte 33-6 in their only meeting of the season.

“They’re motivated,” he said.

Puente said that South Fork runs a variation on the Single Wing offense and has a lot of trick plays up their sleeves which have confused and frustrated their opponents all year.

The goal is to prepare his team to anticipate this offense and to work during practices on ways to slow down and contain the offense of South Fork.

On offense, Puente said his team is solid, especially with the running game.

 Even at this young age the kids have shown a tenacity and never give up, Puente said, adding that it serves them well.

“Even when we’re down they don’t quit,” he said. “They are always ready to play.”

Quarterback Willie Gensaw said that he and his teammates “want to do well...and know how to do it,” adding that they are focused on playing well and coming up with the win.

Fullback Dalton  Nichols was on the A squad that won the title in 2007.

This is his last year in the A  division, and he said he is excited at having another chance at playing for a title.

“If we play our best I think we might win,” he said.

Nichols added that it’s great to normally have a good sized crowd of fans who root for all the youth teams. Nichols said having this support means a lot to the players.

“It’s just thoughtful that people want to see us play,” he said.