GONZALES — The Gonzales Knights youth football program is searching for players for all the divisions to be able to have a season this year.
As of last week, the Knights have until Aug. 21 to receive enough players on the rosters to stay on as members of the Monterey Bay Youth Football League (MBYFL).
“We’re just trying to save the program at this point,” said Knights Vice President Aviel Avila. “We really need to fill the Midget Division (seventh- and eighth-grade age group); as of right now, our numbers are low. It is a requirement to have the Midget Division first to be part of the MBYFL.”
Avila said it has become difficult finding boys to play because many are already participating in sports travel teams.
“There are two travel baseball teams operating right now, and we have some players that are in travel basketball and soccer leagues,” Avila added. “We have plenty of coaches for the levels of play we provide, but we also need volunteers for game days.”
The MBYFL consists of teams from Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield, King City, Toro Park, Salinas, Hollister, Seaside, Watsonville and Alisal.
The Gonzales Knights field football teams in four divisions (Midget, Pee Wee, Jr. Pee Wee and Mighty Mites) and the cheer program. The program offers sponsorship opportunities to low-income families and welcomes anyone residing in Gonzales and Chualar to sign their children up to play.
There has been a Pop Warner or youth football program in Gonzales since the late 1960s, and the programs were initially guided by Art Brusa and Gonzales High School head football coach Larry Welsh.
Interested parties can contact Knights President Becky Avila at 831-210-6523 to set up a registration time at the Fairview Middle School practice fields in Gonzales.
