Team, Community, Family

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Who are the Del Campo Junior Cougars (DCJC)? They are a team, a community, and a family. They are a nonprofit supported by businesses throughout the community and have been around since 2006. The Del Campo Junior Cougars are made up of 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14U teams for football and cheer and each team consists of approximately 160 football players and 40 cheerleaders. In 2017 all four football teams made it to the playoffs and three of the four made it to the championships. The 10U Del Campo cheer team took first place at the USA cheer nationals, which is outstanding.

DCJC has an executive board of six, additional committee board of 10, 50 coaches, and the parent volunteers that make the dream work for these kids. The team enforces academic and behavioral contracts to ensure that the kids are taking their school seriously and representing themselves in a respectful manner, on and off of the field. The executive board does not just work during the season, they work year round to be sure there are sponsors to make each season successful. There are several teams throughout the Sacramento area, but as you can see from the numbers of players in this organization, many people choose this team due to the feeling of family and community that is present in this organization.

As you may have recently seen, this team made a boy’s dream come true by bringing him onto the field and having him score their touchdown. For that boy, that was one of the best moments, and a lifelong memory, that may not have been possible without the love, support, and dedication of the Del Campo Junior Cougars.  

Recently, Avante Washington, one of the DCJC players, was in a car accident that caused serious injuries. Avante and his mom were both injured, and Avante had to learn how to walk, again, due to a spinal injury that has caused the loss of movement to his right side. This incident showed the true community that DCJC is made of. Several team members, the DCJC President, and other members of the DCJC family rallied around Avante physically and spiritually.

Avante is now home and was able to be there for the most recent game and DCJC will continue to provide support and help in any way they can because Avante, and all DCJC players are not just football players, they are DCJC family. No player is left behind.

On Saturday, September 29, Del Campo Junior Cougars played Placer. 8U won their game 36-0 and went into a controlled scrimmage, 10U won 38-0 and went into a controlled scrimmage, 12U won 18-16, and 14U had their first loss of the season with a final score of 10-8. Even with 14U’s loss they remain in first place in their division.

The Junior Cougars, win or lose, maintain a positive attitude and continue to build their players up. DCJC know the importance of showing good sportsmanship, no matter the situation. The season is not quite over, so all we can say is “Go Cougars!”