**Downey Razorbacks practice at Discovery Sports Complex ahead of their Sept. 11 season opener. (Photo by Eric Pierce)**

DOWNEY – After nearly two years of uncertainty due to the pandemic, the Downey Razorbacks are ready to return to the normalcy of a football field.

Downey Youth Football (DYY), also known as the Razorbacks, was established in 1958 and incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization on April 17, 1961 as Downey Pop Warner Football, Inc. DYF played its inaugural season as a fully incorporated non-profit corporation in 1961.

DYF is the original youth football and cheer program in the City of Downey and was formed to teach the youth (ages 5-14) the fundamentals of sportsmanship, team work, and citizenship within the confines of the game of football under a structured setting. DYF has been doing this effectively since 1958 and will celebrate its 61st Anniversary season in 2021.

With 61 years as a program, the Razorbacks are the longest standing youth football and cheer program not only in Downey but in the surrounding area.

“We are proud of our tradition and the strength of our program is attributed to our strong organizational structure and diversity,” said Louis Morales, the organization’s president. “We owe the success of our program to all the volunteers and parents that possess Downey pride and have chosen to be a loyal part of our rich tradition.”

DYF was an original member of the King Conference Football Association (the “King Conference”). The first Board of Directors for DYF in 1961, which also served as the Executive Board, were: Richard C. Engles, President, Arthur W. Elmer, Vice President, Cecil W. Sutton, Athletic Director, Jack B. Campbell, Secretary, and Max Hogue, Treasurer.

Richard C. Engles served as the first President of DYF. Mr. Engles is known as the founding father of DYF and served as president of the organization for a combined 12 years. He remained active in the organization as a board member for over 45 years until his untimely death in 2004.

King Conference (Pop Warner Days) and Jr. All American

DYF was an original member of the King Conference which was part of National Pop Warner. DYF was a member of the King Conference for 29 years.

In 1990, with the decline in popularity of Pop Warner and the King Conference, DYF joined the Orange County Jr. All American Conference (“OCJAAF”), which was and is an independent local conference. DYF joined this conference and was a member of OCJAAF for 10 years.

In 1999, the DYF board of directors ended its affiliation with OCJAAF. DYF felt that the OCJAAF lost focus on the youth and did not put the best interest of the children first. In addition, the OCJAAF did not allow cheerleaders to fully stunt in their routines and at competitions, which limited cheerleader’s creativity and ability to compete in outside competitions and properly prepare for high school cheerleading.

In 2000, DYF joined the San Gabriel Valley Jr. All American Football Conference (“SGVJAAFC”) also an independent conference. DYF was a member of the SGVJAAFC for three years through the 2002 season. Lack of regional and national competition led the board of directors of DYF to seek membership with a conference that was part of a national organization with a clear focus on the children.

Pacific Coast Conference and American Youth Football (2003-2019)

In 2003, in an effort to achieve the goal of being part of a national organization, DYF became a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (the “PCC”). The PCC was a Los Angeles County based conference that left Pop Warner in 2000 to become a member of American Youth Football (“AYF”).

The PCC helped with the creation of AYF, which at one time became the largest national youth football organization in the world, represented in all 50 states and in 13 countries. The National Football League recognized this firm commitment and named AYF a national youth partner of the NFL.

American Youth Football was started by former NFL greats such as Bill Walsh, former head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and creator of the West Coast offense. Former NFL assistant coach of the NY Giants, Joe Galant serves as the president for American Youth Football.

The AYF Motto of “Giving Back” fell in line with the goals and objectives of DYF. In 2020 and after being a 17-year member of the PCC, DYF decided to change conferences and part ways with the PCC due to declining association membership.

SCEYFL-AAU (2020)

After meeting and interviewing over five conferences, DYF decided to join SCEYFL-AAU. The SCEYFL conference is a member of National AAU and is comprised of 27 Associations located throughout Southern California. This gives our youth maximum exposure as they represent the City of Downey on a weekly basis through an expanded area.

AAU is a national program and provides the opportunity for regional, state, and national championship play in an equitable setting for both football and cheer. The expanded play minimizes the need for teams to play in invitational tournaments.

DYF Structure

DYF is governed by a board of directors, which elects a president and executive board of directors, which serve staggered two-year terms so that institutional knowledge is maintained. The board of directors meet monthly throughout the year to plan, maintain and improve the youth football and cheer experience in the City of Downey.

Registration kicks off on the 2nd Wednesday in March at the annual “Back to Football Night” where returning players receive registration discounts. Regular registration starts in April and takes place on Saturdays through the first week in June.

Practices start in late July and DYF provides on loan all the necessary equipment to the players. When official practice begins, all practices take place Monday through Friday from 6-8 pm.

As teams prepare for the first game, which is typically on the first Saturday in September after Labor Day, many events and activities take place. One notable event is the DYF parent appreciation/pep rally/bonfire/raffle, which is held on the Thursday prior to the first game. On this day DYF provides free food to all the parents while the players are practicing. At the conclusion of practice, the event begins with the pep rally, bonfire and raffle, and culminates with the introduction of the nominees for the Razorbacks Hall of Fame.

The first game for 2021 is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2021 and there are eight regular season games, which are always played on Saturdays. DYF hosts four home games, which are played at Downey and Warren high schools respectively at all levels.

DYF has a strict code of conduct and follows the principles of Character Counts and Victory with Honor. All parents are required to sign a Code of Conduct and all coaches go through a background check and are required to take coach training courses and be CPR certified.

DYF offers 5 levels of play for boys and ages 5 through 14 in the following age categories:

• 6U flag football; 8U; 10U; 12U; and 14U

While football and cheerleading may not be in the future for all participants, what they learn while with DYF is the importance of discipline, respect, and teamwork. Players that choose to play football in high school typically have an impact with the teams where they have the opportunity to apply their DYF experience. Ninety percent of DYF cheerleaders that try out for high school cheerleading make the cheer squad.

Razorbacks Hall of Fame

DYF recognizes the youth both on and off the field and established a Hall of Fame program acknowledging players/cheerleaders for their commitment and dedication. The Hall of Fame mission is to honor our participants, promote our history, and celebrate excellence.

Eligibility for the Hall of Fame is earned by participants that have played or cheered for the Razorbacks continuously from the Flag level (5/6 year old) through their 8th grade year (13-14 yr. old). The inductees meeting this criteria are judged to be outstanding and epitomize Commitment, Integrity, Courage, Respect, and Excellence.

Here are Razorbacks Hall of Fame members by their year of induction.

Class of 2007: Shane Baumann

Class of 2008: No Inductees

Class of 2009: Rafael Rodriquez and Stephanie Quinones

Class of 2010: Austin Morales and Martin Gutierrez

Class of 2011: Sean “Keifer” Enslin, Andrew Gonzalez, and Melanie Gutierrez

Class of 2012: No Inductees

Class of 2013: No Inductees

Class of 2014: Nathan Ramirez and Aaron Romero

Class of 2015: Kevin Brown, Ethan Ruiz, and Armando “AJ” Villarreal

Class of 2016: Jordan Cano, Devin Godinez, Jeremy Juarez, Daniel Menjivar, Marcus Ojeda, and Melia Garcia

Class of 2017: Carmen Shamp, Manny Perez, Richard Ramos, Nathan Ruiz, and Benjamin Salgado

Class of 2018: Ian Hernandez and Nathaniel Hernandez

Class of 2019: Alfonso Orosco

Class of 2020: No Inductees (Covid-19)

Class of 2021 Nominee: Josiah Salazar

In addition, DYF acknowledges the years of service of all board members and presidents. Below is the list of Downey residents that served as president of DYF.

1961-65 Richard Engles

1966 Gordon Chustoff

1967 Oliver Melfy

1968-69 Jim Wells

1970-72 Richard Engles

1973-76 Mike Baumann

1977-78 Dan Stratford

1979-80 Paul Peterson

1981-84 Richard Engles

1985-88 Donald R. Meya

1989 Steve Bisaha

1990-95 James Cunningham

1996-98 Robert Crissman

1999 - Present Louis Morales

Razorbacks are ready for football again