Pop Warner looks for another successful season
By Hector Trujillo
The Scripps Ranch Pop Warner Football and Cheer Association fall season teams hope to repeat their impressive showing from last season, having kicked off with conditioning preparations on July 15 and with the first football game scheduled for Aug. 15.
The games for the various divisions will run from mid-August through early November, with potential regional tournaments continuing into December.
“The Scripps athletes are performing at a high level,” said President Gary Harrison. “Last year was probably one of the best years in terms of combined records for the football teams. Our cheer teams took several regional awards as well.”
Scripps Ranch Pop Warner is part of the growing West Coast Conference (WCC) which now spans 30 active tackle football and cheer associations across San Diego County, Southwest Riverside County and the Imperial Valley.
“Pop Warner has grown and we have added five new associations to the conference we compete in,” Harrison said.
Among those teams are the Mexicali Zorros from Mexico which joined the conference in 2023 and will be fielding a team this season as well.
With the increasing temperatures across the region, athlete safety will continue being the top priority for those in charge, especially when games are held further inland where the temperatures increase drastically.
“We also continue to follow the same protocols, with all coaches being certified teaching safe and fundamental tactics to protect the kids,” Harrison said.
Among the other highlights for the upcoming season will be the Blue Angel Bowl, hosted by Scripps Ranch Pop Warner, which will be taking place at the Scripps Ranch High School football field in late September. This annual event coincides with the Miramar MCAS Air Show and is a celebration featuring youth football and cheer games right as the Blue Angels soar directly over the stadium.
“The Blue Angel Bowl has gotten bigger and bigger with more media coverage, and dignitaries and political leaders attending,” Harrison said.