The players and cheerleaders of the East County Youth Football program enjoyed a record-setting season in 2007. For the first time in the league's 16-year history, ECYF cheerleaders walked away with seven of eight first-place trophies and a second-place trophy at the highly competitive Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference Championships held at UC Davis. The girls competed at the highest level, Advanced, in all categories for all four age groups.

Not to be outdone, each of the ECYF football teams competed in first-round playoff games. Unlike other youth football organizations that allow a single regular-season win to suffice for playoff eligibility, the DVYFC allows only the top eight teams playoff spots. Three of the teams advanced to the semifinals and two teams, the Midgets (ages 12-14) and Pee Wees (ages 9-11), made it to the championships.

"It's a tribute to the coaches and players on both sides of the program," said President Sheila Houdashelt. "Cheer saw a large number of first-year cheerleaders enter the program, as did the Midget football team. To have competed so well during the season and have achieved so much reflects the excellent coaching and, above all, the dedication and hard work these young athletes put forth."

Former ECYF football players account for 26 starting varsity spots at Liberty, Freedom and Heritage, and one varsity starter and one starting freshmen quarterback at De La Salle.

For more information on ECYF, go to www.ecyflions.com.