ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Sacramento Youth Football held a jamboree for the youth football programs at Sheldon High School on Saturday Aug. 9, which was hosted by the Pleasant Grove Junior Eagles football program.                               

Six high schools were represented by their junior programs in the jamboree: Monterey Trail, Elk Grove, Pleasant Grove, Franklin, West Park and Del Campo. Each of the youth programs had 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U age groups.       

The jamboree started with the 8U age group at 10 a.m. in a round-robin format where four teams would play at one time for a seven-minute period. Two teams were on the north side of the field and two teams on the south. Every team had a chance to play offense and defense throughout the day.

 

President & 12U head football coach Zach Vierra. 

With the heat rising to triple digits, every team and player tried to stay hydrated along with trying to stay cool. The Junior Eagle Program had done a good job by having people responsible for filling up water for both sides and had invested into an outdoor misting system that anyone could use to cool down.                    

Despite the heat, the jamboree was a success. It gave players and coaches a chance to show what each team was capable of moving into the upcoming year.     

Zach Vierra, president and 12U head coach of the Junior Eagles Program, gave praise and explained, “We’re a part of a great league, the SYF. I’ve been a part of Pleasant Grove Football for 15 years, being able to just build relationships with the other teams and their presidents.”

The SYF takes pride in the importance of the development of youth football players to build a foundation that they can take with them when they move up in age groups or head into high school. It allows players to learn the fundamentals of the game and football etiquette.

“The best part about being a coach is just seeing the kids grow, seeing them flourish, being able to pick up what you've been telling them and seeing when the light bulb clicks,” said Vierra.   

 

10U Pleasant Grove Junior Eagles heading onto field.

The development of the youth players and building the foundation to continue to play the older they get is the staple for youth football. It is where coaches are not just seen as coaches, but as father figures as well: pouring information that they have into their players to lead them on the path to success.         

The coaches also create a lasting impression on the players: so much so that when a player’s career is finished, they are going to want to come back to coach.

“What’s even better is seeing former players come back. That second generation of carrying the torch, being a part of the community. The things that you learned are now being passed on to others,” Vierra stated.

 Families sitting in away side stands.