Pacific Youth Football League: My Site News

The PYFL offers their deepest condolences to the family of David Sumner, who passed away Friday night.  Please keep David and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

For more information, visit the Simi Valley Vikings web site at www.simivalleyvikings.com .

Friday, July 31- First day of practice

Sunday, August 2 - Coaches' clinic / Team drafts

Saturday, August 22 - Certification (No inter-chapter scrimmages until this date)

Saturday, September 12 - Opening day

Sunday, November 1 - Playoff Certification for all post-season teams (No other playoff certification times available)

Two former St. Bonaventure High stars made an impact Saturday on the Pacific Youth Football League Football players participating in the 7-on-7 passing tournament and hogs competition at Oxnard High.

Lorenzo Booker, a former Florida State running back and receiver, told the young players to have a good time playing sports, but to stick with school.

Booker was faithful by staying with Florida State after graduating from high school.

“Booker is one of the top running backs for the Philadelphia Eagles,” said Pulu Aina, president of the North Oxnard Warriors.

“Booker is a good humble man, said Oscar Lopez of YAC, a 1982 Channel Islands graduate. Lambert, who spent his college career at Notre Dame, hopes to have an impact with the San Francisco 49ers.

Other special NFL guests included T.J. Housmenzadah of the Seattle Seahawks, Bernard Berrian of the Minnesota Vikings and Antonio Chapman of the Bengals. Because of contract negotiations, Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson of the Bengals was unable to attend.

Mark Gaston, public address announcer of the Warriors, said he grew up in Oxnard reading the local sports pages and following the hometown stars.

Saturday’s competition under the direction of YAC and the Warriors brought together 17 talented chapters. Those displaying banners included the Thousand Oaks Titans, West Ventura Panthers, Camarillo Roadrunners, Simi Valley Patriots, Calabasas Raiders, Hueneme Rhinos, Agoura-Oak Park Eagles, North Oxnard Warriors, Castaic Cougars, Moorpark Saints, Ventura Packers, Newbury Park Steelers Grace Brethren Youth Sports Football, Oxnard 49ers, Canyon Country Outlaws, Burbank Vikings and Santa Clarita Valley Athletic Association Warriors,

The third annual competition was much cooler this time in Oxnard in 78-degree weather. It was 93 Saturday in Santa Clarita, home of the 2007 and 2008 passing and hogs action.

“Our goal was to combine the north and south (league chapters).” said Aina.

Bantam, Midget, Junior and Senior divisions competed.

“The kids had a blast,” said Al Perez, YAC director. “All the kids were excited.”

YAC’s John Diaz had a strong contingent of volunteers from high schools and colleges.

Ventura College-bound Moises Barrera (Pacifica), New Mexico Highlands’ Herm Young (VC) were among numerous volunteers. Barrera said he enjoyed his four years of football at Pacifica, kicking several game-winning field goals as time expired.

Fullback Young (Pacifica) liked playing for VC’s Jon Mack, winning a championship ring as a freshman.

Another volunteer was J.B. Dock (St. Bonaventure grad) headed to Fresno State.

Aina is reaping the benefits of the talent the Warriors have at their doorstep.

The Junior Division Warriors were Super Bowl champions in 2008 and the Bantams were runners-up at College of the Canyons.

Aina, the Warriors third-year president, has three sons playing in the league: Pewee Faamini, 7; Bantam Sete, 9, and Midget Pulu, 11. Aina and wife, Tami, have two more Warriors knocking on the door: Poi, 5, and Pata, 3.

The Hogs Tournament winners included Calabasas Raiders (Bantam), Moorpark Saints (Midgets) and Camarillo Roadrunners (Juniors and Seniors).

The North Oxnard Warriors won the Bantam, Midget and Senior divisions in the passing tournament. The Santa Clarita Valley Warriors won the Junior Division by six points over the Warriors.

The PYFL voted in new rules for the 2009 season that include the arrival of the X-men on the senior level, free PAT kicks in Bantam and Pee Wees and 12 minute quarters of all levels.

The most exciting new rule allows unlimited senior weight players to be designated “X-Men”, wearing a clearly visible X on their helmet.  These players can only play interior line positions on offense and defense (Center, Guard Tackle of offense and Tackle, Nose or End on defense).  These players cannot carry or catch the ball on offense and cannot participate on punt, punt return, kickoff or kick return teams.  A maximum of three (3) x-men can participate at one time for each team. 

The 2009 season will move to 12 minute quarters to fall in line with high school game times, and the Bantam and Pee Wee levels will be allowed to "free kick" a PAT.

A full list of rule changes will be posted soon.  Please contact your chapter with any questions. 

Here is a partial list of winners.  Not all have been notified yet:

Congratulations to the winners of the Jim Thornton Memorial Invitational Tournament:

Pee Wee- Camarillo

Bantam- West Ventura

Midget- Camarillo

Junior- North Oxnard White

Senior- Thousand Oaks Black

On Saturday, August 23rd, Castaic Cougar’s Senior Coach Matt Gastaldo suffered a heart attack and subsequently passed away. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and their two sons, Albert and Nicholas. The SCVAA Warriors wish to express our deepest sympathy to Matt’s family and we ask that you keep the Gastaldo family in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

A fund has been set up for the benefit of Matt's sons, Albert (15) and Nicholas (13).

Donations may be made payable to "The Matt Gastaldo Memorial Fund" and  sent to:

The Bank of Santa Clarita
Elizabeth Hopp
27441 Tourney Rd
Valencia, CA 91355
(661-362-6000)

On the memo line of the check write "For the benefit of Albert &  Nicholas Gastaldo"

The Pacific Youth Football League has voted through the most progressive weight classification in youth football for the 2008 season. Chapters have put through a fifth level of competition, the Midget division, to go with its current divisions to provide the safest and most competitive playing environment to-date. The new Midget division essentially splits the largest current division, Juniors, into an 11 year old skewing level and a 12 year old skewing level.  The PYFL did extensive research, examining player safety, the current level of competition and input from coaches on every level and put forth these new player weight guidelines to provide divisions that maximize safety, competition and player development.  The proposal was nearly unanimously passed.   “These divisions really provide the safest and most competitive playing environment around.  We are extremely excited about the continuing evolution of the playing levels that has resulted in something that as a league, we couldn’t feel better about” said PYFL President Rett Hicks.  PYFL Athletic Director Verne Merrill says these new divisions do the best job of finding an appropriate playing environment for every player – “We are able to keep kids of similar age and size together while still finding places for the smaller players to compete in a fair environment.  We have been able to make the divisions more compeititve without putting players in divisions based on perceived skill levels." 

 2008 Divisions (+10 lb playoff weight gain unless otherwise noted.)

Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia, United States Marine Corps, was killed in combat in Iraq on Jan. 27, 2007, at the age of 20. Anthony died much as he lived, with passion, bravery, selflessness and unspeakable valor.

Anthony was born Aug. 29, 1986, in Sacramento , Calif. After moving to Ventura County , Anthony played youth football for the Thousand Oaks Titans, then attended Thousand Oaks High School where his traits of passion, valor and selflessness were developed on the football field.  Anthony starred for the Lancers and made many of the friends he held so close to his heart while wearing green and white.  Anthony played the game fearlessly and proudly, battling back from injuries to continue playing the game he loved with those he loved.

After graduation, Anthony's calling took him to the United States Marine Corps, where again those traits were immediately recognized, resulting in his rapid rise to team leader.

Anthony is survived by his parents, Mike and Vicki; sister, Nicole; brother, Daniel; nephew, Nicholas; grandparents Chuck, Joanne and June, and fiancée Jamie Chunko; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who loved Anthony deeply.

Your prayers are requested for all who knew Anthony and must now show the traits he lived with every day to moved forward without him.

A trust fund has been established in Anthony's name at Santa Barbara Bank and Trust. Anyone interested should contact Adriana Sanchez, Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, 4646 Adolfo Road , Camarillo , CA 93012 ; phone 805-384-5321.  The fund will be used to create scholarships and opportunities in Anthony's name.

The Thousand Oaks Titans will start a scholarship fund in Anthony Melia's name.