Youth FB ready to go

Season begins on Sunday down in McKinleyville

Members of the Del Norte Youth Football AA Gold team huddle up during practice on Tuesday. DNYF begins the 2011 season on Sunday. The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal

After all, not every community will have the stands packed full of fans on a Sunday afternoon rooting for a group of 8-and 9-year-olds playing football.

This season,  Del Norte Youth Football has approximately 170 kids taking part in both the gridiron and cheer programs. All but one of the five teams opens the season on Sunday at McKinleyville High School.

“I’ve been waiting all year for it,” Richie England, 12, a fullback and linebacker on the AA Blue team said. “It’s a fun sport. I can’t really explain it.”

Youth football president Lance Scribner said it helps to have a successful high school program at Del Norte High. Many of the younger kids in the community have watched the Warriors on Friday nights  and want to someday be out there.

“You have a lot of kids that want to someday be Del Norte Warriors and want to participate in football,” he said. “This is where it all starts.”

Things were bustling at Crescent Elk School on Tuesday as all four of the A and AA teams practiced, with cheer practice going on across the street. The AAA squad, the oldest group of players, practices at the high school.

Tyler Lorg makes a defensive play during the DNYF AA Blue practice on Tuesday evening. Ronnie Wainscott (right) stops Jeremy Bernal during a AA Blue practice, while coach Lonnie Levi looks on. The Daily Triplicate/Rick Postal

“I love this time of year,” said Jesse Puente, head coach of the single A Gold team as his squad went through drills on Tuesday. “Football is big in Del Norte County. Everyone is into it. Everyone gets together for football.”

While the team consists of 8, 9 and 10-year-olds, Puente said they already take the sport seriously and are into learning plays and formations and proper technique.

Lonnie Levi is in his first year of being head coach of the AA Blue team after being an assistant for a number of years.

He said they have around 32 kids this year, including 16 returners, compared to around 28 last year.

Levi agreed that the youth program is a great way to show kids what the sport is about and prepare them for high school football. For instance, they are running a number of simple plays the high school team uses.

“It makes the transition for them that much quicker,” he said. “They see what the high school kids have done and they want to be there in a few years. It drives them.”

Levi has liked his squad’s work ethic and aggressive play.

“It’s an in-your-face, tough, smashmouth group,” he said.

“I like the contact,” said AA Blue player Chee Shorty, 12. “It’s fun for me.”

Last year was quite successful for DNYF, with all five teams making the playoffs.

The AAA squad won a title while the A Gold team made it to the title game.

Last season, the AA Blue team lost in playoffs to the DNYF AA Gold team.

Levi would love to meet them again in the playoffs, but this time in the title game, which would certainly reflect well on the caliber of football here.

“We have pretty good potential,” AA Blue player Michael Levi, 12, said. “I’m pretty sure we’ll get to the playoffs this year.”

When asked his expectations if they make the playoffs, he replied “to do our best.”

At the start of practices, the players went though a number of drills. To Coach Levi, being in top condition once the season begins will go a long ways towards success on the field.

“If you are in shape you don’t run out of gas in the fourth quarter, which is so important,” Levi said.

Del Norte will not play at home for a little bit. The first home games are scheduled for all five teams at Del Norte High on Sept. 25.

 Below is the list of games for week one. The A Blue team has a bye week.

• DNYF AA Blue versus Mack Black, 10 a.m.

• DNYF A Gold versus Mack White, noon

• DNYF AA Gold verus Mack White, 2 p.m.

• DNYF AAA versus Mack, 4 p.m.