Sierra Youth Football League returns for 20th season

Annual Experience kicks off 2019 season on Aug. 17 in Fallon

Celebrating its 20^th season, the Sierra Youth Football League (SYFL) will kick off 2019 with one of the biggest football events in the region in Fallon on Aug. 17.

The SYFL will hold its annual Experience scrimmage and weigh-in event where more than 7,000 players, coaches and families will flock to Fallon for the fourth year in a row.

Teams from Douglas, Reno, Damonte Ranch, Hug, McQueen, North Valleys, Wooster, Spanish Springs, Sparks, Reed, Lassen, Fernley and Fallon converge at the Edward Arciniega Athletic Complex to scrimmage and record weights one week before the regular season begins. Vendors and sponsors will be on display in addition to several bounce houses for the families. Weigh-ins begin at 7 a.m. and scrimmages will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The SYFL advises families and spectators to arrive early for the event due to high traffic volume. Fallon’s SYFL division, also known as Fallon Youth Football League, is working with the local high school, city government and law enforcement to ensure smooth coordination. Entrance and parking to the all-day event are off Sheckler Cutoff, south of the high school campus.

The SYFL is a youth tackle football and cheerleading organization for all children between the ages of 5 and 14, prior to any child moving into high school. The SYFL works closely high school athletic directors and coaches to ensure players are learning skills that will benefit them as they transition into high school sports. 

The SYFL divisions, which are based on age, include Flag (5-6 years old), Bandit (5-7), Maverick (7-8), Freshman (9-10), Junior Varsity (10-11), Varsity (11-12) and Collegiate (12-14).

The regular season begins on Aug. 24 and runs through October before playoffs take over. The championship games will be on Nov. 9. The SYFL Winter Classic – a series of all-star games – is on Dec. 1. All games are played on Saturdays on high school fields. The SYFL cheerleading competition is on Nov. 4. Locations for playoffs and the cheer competition are unknown at this time.

For updated standings, scores and important information about the SYFL, visit www.gosyfl.com.

SYFL Important Dates

Aug. 17 – SYFL Experience, Fallon Aug. 24 – First day of games Oct. 26 – Playoffs begin Nov. 4 – SYFL cheerleading competition (all day) Nov. 9 – Championship games (all day) Dec. 7 – SYFL Winter Classic