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.

The luck of the draw presented quite the challenge for Kathryn Gustafson.

The Del Norte High sophomore was competing at the girls tennis Northcoast Section singles championship in Santa Rosa on Tuesday and did not find out until that morning who she would play  a short time later.

The top four seeds were already decided, with the rest chosen randomly from the remaining 12 girls.

As luck would have it, Gustafson drew Brooke Irish of Amador Valley, the No. 1 seed.

While Gustafson lost 6-0, 6-0,   she was pleased with how things turned out.

“It was a good experience for me,” Gustafson said during a phone interview on her way home Tuesday afternoon. “It gave me more of a challenge. I enjoyed playing a higher level of player.”

Supporters greet members of the AA Del Norte Blue team Sunday. For more photos, go to Triplicate.com/photos. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

On Sunday in the AA division, the Del Norte Blue team dominated Hoopa 28-0 in Crescent City. The Del Norte Gold team traveled to Ferndale to face the Redwood Knights and won by the identical score of 28-0.

Del Norte takes down Arcata 53-6 to end year 3-6

Junior Brandon Kakitsuka of Del Norte High rumbles down the field as senior Kyle Eggen blocks for him Friday night against Arcata. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

CRESCENT CITY — In cold  and wet weather the Del Norte High varsity football team heated things up on the football field in the season finale at home Friday night.

Four DNYF teams in playoff action on Sunday

Steven Maready of the Del Norte Youth Football AA Gold team runs down the field during a game earlier this season. On Sunday the Gold squad will be in Ferndale in playoff action. Three local teams will host playoff matchups at home at Mike Whalen Field on Sunday. The winners of the contests will go on to title games. (Photo courtesy of Roger Schultz/ www.hotshotsbyroger.com)

Del Norte faces Arcata tonight at 7:30 p.m. at home

Greg Kirby, right, of the Del Norte High football team gets ready to tackle a Fortuna player during a game in Crescent City on Oct. 16. Tonight, the Warriors conclude the season against Arcata at home. (The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson)

The Del Norte High varsity football team is ready to end the 2009 season on a high note tonight on their home field.

The Warriors face Big 4 Conference opponent Arcata tonight at home at Mike Whalen Field.

Del Norte head coach Bob Hadfield said the goal is to “play hard and get a win for the seniors.”

With the struggles the 2-6 Warriors have had this year, Hadfield said it would be nice to  end the season with a convincing win.