Youth Football History in Downey


Downey Youth Football (“DYF”) was established in 1958 and incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 organization on April 17, 1961 as Downey Pop Warner Football, Inc. and played its inaugural season as a fully incorporated non-profit corporation in 1961. DYF is the original and only recognized youth football program in the City of Downey. Don't be fooled by others claiming to be Downey. DYF was formed to teach the youth of Downey the fundamentals of sportmanship, team work, and citizenship within the confides of the game of football under a structured setting. DYF has been doing this effectively since 1958 and will celebrating its 60th Anniversary season as a fully bona-fide private non-profit organization in 2020. 
 
DYF was an original member of the King Conference Football Association (the “King Conference”). The first Board of Directors for DYF, which also served as the Executive Board, were:

Richard C. Engles, President
Arthur W. Elmer, Vice President
Cecil W. Sutton, Athletic Director
Jack B. Campbell, Secretary
Max Hogue, Treasurer

Mr. Richard C. Engles served as the first President of DYF. Mr. Engles is known as the founding Father of Downey Youth Football and served as President of the organization for a combined 12 years. Mr. Engles remained active in the organization as a board member for over 45 years until his untimely death in 2004.

King Confercene (Pop Warner Days) and Jr. All American

The King Conference was a member of National Pop Warner and DYF was a member of the King Conference for 29 years. In 1990, with the decline in popularity of Pop Warner and the King Conference, DYF joined the Orange County Jr. All American Conference (“OCJAAF”), which was and is an independent local conference that was and is NOT affiliated with any national organization and therefore not recognized nationally. Notwithstanding this, DYF joined this conference and was a member of OCJAAF for 10 years. In 1999, the board of directors ended its affiliation with OCJAAF as the board of directors were NOT content with the manner that the OCJAAF conducted business with its inequity, overzealousness, questionable game calling tactics, and ridiculous fines that hurt youth programming. DYF felt that the OCJAAF lost focus on the youth and did not put the best interest of the children first. In addition, the OCJAAF did not allow cheerleaders to fully stunt in their routines and at competitions, which limited cheerleader’s creativity and ability to compete in outside competitions and properly prepare for High School cheerleading. Also the age and weight structure in this conference had some players playing their final season as 8th graders at the Peewee and/or Jr. Midget level thereby depriving players of playing youth football at the Midget level, which is the highest level of youth football competition.

In 2000, DYF became part of the San Gabriel Valley Jr. All American Football Conference (“SGVJAAFC”) also an independent conference. DYF was a member of the SGVJAAFC for 3 years through the 2002 season. Lack of accountability demonstrated by the Jr All American Conferences (OCJAAF and SGVJAAF) and the lack of regional and national competition led the board of directors of DYF to seek membership with a conference that was part of a national organization with a clear focus on the children.

Pacific Coast Conference and American Youth Football (2003-2019)

In 2003, in an effort to achieve the goal of being part of a national organization, DYF became a member of the Pacific Coast Conference (the “PCC”). The PCC is a Los Angeles County based conference that left Pop Warner in 2000 to become a member of American Youth Football (“AYF”). The PCC helped with the creation of AYF, which at one time became the largest national youth football organization in the world and is represented in all 50 States and in 13 countries. AYF membership has surpassed Pop Warner, which is only found in 42 States. AYF is a non-intrusive organization and is not financially driven or motivated. The National Football League (NFL®) recognized this firm commitment and named AYF a national youth partner of NFL®. American Youth Football was started by former NFL greats such as Bill Walsh former Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers and creator of the West Coast offense. Former NFL Asst. coach with the NY Giants, Mr. Joe Galant serves as the President for American Youth Football. The AYF Motto of "Giving Back" fell in line with the goals and objectives of DYF. In 2020 and after being a 17-year member of the PCC, DYF decided to change conferences and part ways with the PCC due to declining membership.

SCEYFL-AAU (2020)

After meeting with over 5 conferences, DYF decided to join SCEYFL-AAU. The SCEYFL conference is a member of National AAU and is comprised of 21 Associations located throughout Southern California and is not limited to one particular area. This gives our youth maximum exposure as they represent the City of Downey on a weekly basis. AAU is a National program and provides the opportunity for regional, state, and national championship play in a equitable setting for both football and cheer. The expanded play minimizes the need for teams to play in invitational tournaments at the end of their season that are profit driven and present safety issues.  

Hall of Razorbacks Presidents

Year(s) Name of President

1961-65 Richard Engles* 5 Years

1966 Gordon Chustoff 1 Year

1967 Oliver Melfy* 1 Year

1968-69 Jim Wells* 2 Years

1970-72 Richard Engles* 3 Years

1973-76 Mike Baumann 4 Years
 
1977-78 Dan Stratford 2 Years

1979-80 Paul Peterson* 2 Years

1981-84 Richard Engles* 4 Years

1985-88 Donald R. Meya* 4 Years

1989 Steve Bisaha 1 Year

1990-95 James Cunningham 6 Years

1996-98 Robert Crissman 3 Years

1999-Present LOUIS MORALES 24 Years

*Deceased