Pop Warner season about to begin
By Hector Trujillo
The Scripps Ranch Pop Warner JV cheer squad members are entering their third week of practice as they prepare to compete in the West Coast Conference for 2025. The squad is part of the Scripps Ranch Pop Warner Football and Cheer Association, which is entering the 2025 season.
Scripps Ranch Pop Warner includes flag football for kids ages 5 to 7, with tackle football divisions being available for players ages 7 to 14. Competitive Cheer includes children 5 to 14 years of age. Scripps Ranch Pop Warner held 10 pre-season football clinics.
The Scripps Ranch Pop Warner Football and Cheer Association is part of 33 associations throughout San Diego ranging from Temecula to Mexico with the Mexicali Zorros involved as well.
“They come up and cross the border to play in the United States,” said Scripps Ranch Pop Warner President Gary Harrison. “We have hosted them a couple of times and it’s really fun to be hosting international football. I think it’s a really cool thing.”
Besides the football season opening day at Scripps Ranch High on Saturday, Aug. 16, and with the first day of mandatory practices having begun on July 15, the other big days marked on the calendar include the third annual Blue Angel Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 27. The event coincides with the MCAS Miramar Air Show with the pilots flying the F-18 fighter jets as part of the entertainment using the Scripps Ranch High School football field as a checkpoint.
“The scenery is absolutely beautiful when that happens,” Harrison said. “When the Blue Angels are flying over the football field at 300 feet, it’s truly amazing, along with getting to watch a football game.”
The Scripps Ranch Pop Warner volunteers also continue giving a huge part for what they hope to be another successful season, from getting the field reserved to ordering uniforms to performing administrative functions on game days.
“The volunteers are involved in every aspect, from being part of the chain crew, spotters, announcers, concessions, along with being part of the team staff,” Harrison said.
On any given Saturday, there’s anywhere between 50 to 75 parents serving as volunteers to make it a successful day regardless of the final score.
As for the cheerleaders, they will perform at Petco Park on Sept. 9 when the San Diego Padres take on the Cincinnati Reds.
Visit scrippsranchpopwarner.com.