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Why play football with Carmel Valley Dons?
Carmel Valley Dons Youth Football was formed to create a very competitive Division 1, strong football program for top athletes in the Carmel Valley and surrounding areas. This program will carry forward the strong traditions of Cathedral Catholic High School and is proud to wear their colors and call our home field Manchester Stadium at CCHS.
In order to become a good football player or cheerleader for the Dons you must first master the basic fundamentals of the game. In football, such skills as basic tackling and blocking as well as throwing, catching, and becoming a student of the game. Players and coaches must strive to learn as much about the game as we possibly can. Along with this, our players must make it their personal goals to master their school work and not neglect their academic studies. Our objective as a program is to prepare our players for the next level of play, be it the next age and weight level or high school football. However, bringing a player to the next level is not possible without the proper academic standings.
Is Winning our Priority?
Winning is an objective, but not our number one priority. Winning is important or else we would not keep score. We must do everything we can to win within the guidelines of respect for the game, good sportsmanship, and sound fundamentals. Sportsmanship or poor fundamentals will not be sacrificed in order to reach our goal of winning. No one likes to lose but sometimes we will be over matched and must except the fact there will always be someone better than we are. If we have done our best we need not be ashamed of losing. Vince Lombardi, whose name is on the Super bowl trophy once said, “Winning isn’t everything but preparing to win is”. Winning is not just about the score at the end of a game. Winning is about EFFORT, LEARNING, and MISTAKES.
What does ELITE mean?
1. Our players want to WIN (important)
2. Our volunteers and coaches TEACH LIFE LESSONS (more important)
3. Our organization gives back to the community
4. Our coaches will build a "team" culture that encourages athletes to work hard and strive for excellence. They will design practice sessions that reinforce team culture and maximize the use of available time.
5. Our players will be taught respect for the game. That we will not bend the rules to win. We will honor the spirit and letter of the game. That a worthy opponent is a gift that brings out our best. We will show respect for coaches, parents, and officials even when we disagree. That we will never do anything to embarrass our team, family, community, or ourselves. Our players will be taught to live up to our own standards even when others don’t.
What is the difference between AYF and Pop Warner?
The biggest difference is that we are global and backed by the NFL. The basic rules are the same for both leagues. AYF allows for a little heavier weights in each division, around 9 lbs. at the beginning of the season. This not only allows a younger heavier player more opportunity to play within his age group, it also allows players to play at their natural weight without having to sweat off weight which is unhealthy an not recommended. We do not allow for a weight increase each week like is done with Pop Warner.
We also offer an "unlimited weight" team at the Midget level.
What do the uniforms look like?
We will wear the same uniform as the varsity football players at Cathedral Catholic High School. This was requested by their head coach - Coach Doyle.
Who should register?
Competitive players interested in wearing Cathedral Dons colors, one of the most successful high school programs in San Diego County.
Committed football players who want to earn a “starting” position on the roster. Players that are capable of competing against other D1 teams
How Much does it cost?
Football = $295*
Cheer = $295
Flag Football/Flag Cheer = $195
*Some additional equipment may be necessary.
Where is our home field?
Manchester Stadium at Cathedral Catholic High School
5555 Del Mar Heights Road
San Diego, CA 92130
Should we join even if we do not plan to attend High School at Cathedral?
You should join if you can compete at the Division 1 level independent of the high school you plan to attend. We are not part of CCHS but rather associated with it and use their field.
When does the season start and how long will it last?
The season will begin the last week of July and continues through the first or second week of November. We practice five days a week (Monday-Friday), two hours per day until the end of August. Starting in September we practice three days a week with games on Saturday. Playoffs, Bowl Games, and the All-Star Classic can extend into early December.
What is August conditioning?
During the last week of July and the month of August, the players practice 5 days a week, Monday through Friday in the evenings for the entire month. The first week of August is strictly conditioning only, with the players not wearing any pads - just shorts, tee-shirts and cleats. August is used to get our players into shape and learn football fundamentals.
Does my child have to come to all the practices in August? We want to take a vacation.
Yes, it is extremely important that your child attend as many practices as possible. In the month of August players are introduced to football, proper tackling, hitting, passing, receiving. The players are introduced to the team's playbook. If your child goes on vacation during this month, he will be behind upon his return. Football is a team sport and it takes 11 players executing their jobs to make each play work. Football is truly a team sport and everyone must be on the same page to make the team successful. Please plan your vacations around it.
What times are the practices held?
Team practices are held in the late afternoons/early evenings. Practices are held based around the team coaches' work schedule. Most teams normally practice from about 5:00 pm thru about 7:30 pm Mon-Fri during August ONLY. After, Labor Day the practice times will shift to 5:30pm to 7:30pm approximately.
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