GALT, CA (MPG) - The Liberty Ranch Jr. Hawks started off their season at the Liberty Ranch stadium last Saturday in games against Casa Robles.

The Jr. Hawks have 117 youth players and 84 cheerleaders combined on four teams starting with 8-and-under (8U), 10U and 12U, and the oldest players are 14-and-under.

The Jr. Hawks will play nine regular games ending the season on Oct. 20. After that, they could possibly make the playoffs and continue to the championships. In previous years they have won division championships and attended the playoffs for all levels. Their cheerleaders have also placed at competition. 

After the 14U game in which the Jr. Hawks blew out Casa Robles 38-0 and went to scrimmage mode, chances are looking good for the playoffs for that team.

The team has been a member of the Sacramento Youth Football Network (SYF) since 2015.

Josh Swearingen is the current president and describes why he feels the program enriches youth.

“Our organization strives to create an environment for all youth that allows participants to learn football and cheer skills,” said Swearingen. “I feel it builds character and self-esteem to learn to play a competitive team sport while also practicing good sportsmanship. Win or lose, the kids really do have a lot of fun out here.”

Game times are the same every Saturday and the schedule is as follows:

 8U - 10 a.m.

10U – 12 p.m.

12U - 2 p.m.

14U - 4 p.m.

8/17 - Casa Robles Rams

9/07 - River Valley Falcons

9/21 - Placer Hillmen

10/12 - Wilsey Wood

10/20 - Wheatland Pirates

8/24 - Marysville Indians

9/14 - Ponderosa Bruins

9/28 - Nevada Union Miners

10/05 - Sutter Huskies